A massive inferno tore through a commercial building at the busy corner of Chinhoyi Street and Speke Avenue in Harare’s Central Business District (CBD) on Wednesday, reducing the structure to a shell and destroying merchandise worth thousands of dollars. The blaze, which eyewitnesses say erupted in the early hours of the morning, left dozens of traders reeling from devastating losses and brought business in the usually bustling area to a standstill.
When smoke was first seen billowing from the upper floors shortly after dawn, panic quickly spread among nearby vendors, shoppers, and commuters. Witnesses described a terrifying scene as flames engulfed the building at breakneck speed, consuming everything in their path.
“I was setting up my vending stall when I suddenly saw smoke coming out of the windows. Within minutes, the whole building was on fire. People tried to rush inside to save their stock, but it was too dangerous,” said Tendai Mutsvairo, a trader who operates near the site.
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By mid-morning, the flames had gutted the entire structure, leaving nothing but charred debris and twisted metal.
The building, which housed small-scale clothing and electronic traders, has long been a lifeline for many entrepreneurs in Harare’s informal sector. With the majority of occupants uninsured, Wednesday’s fire has wiped out years of investment and savings in a single morning.
“We have lost everything,” lamented Rudo Nyandoro, a boutique owner who said she had stocked up ahead of the busy holiday season. “I had goods worth over US$8,000 inside. I don’t know how I will recover from this. This fire has left us destitute.”
Other traders echoed the same despair, with many standing helplessly as firefighters battled to contain the blaze. For some, the tragedy is not just financial but also personal. “This business was my only source of income. My children’s school fees and food all came from here,” said another affected shopkeeper.
Firefighters from the Harare Fire Brigade rushed to the scene, deploying multiple engines and water tanks in an attempt to put out the blaze. However, their efforts were hampered by limited water supply and the intensity of the fire, which spread rapidly through the building’s old wooden fittings and tightly packed stock.
“We received a distress call around 6 a.m. and immediately dispatched our team,” said a senior officer from the Fire Brigade. “Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, the fire was already well advanced. Our team worked tirelessly to prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings.”
The officer confirmed that no fatalities had been recorded, though a few individuals sustained minor injuries while attempting to salvage goods before the fire engulfed the premises.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, with preliminary reports suggesting it may have been sparked by an electrical fault. Harare City Council officials said forensic teams would be combing through the wreckage once it is safe to do so.
“We will conduct a full investigation to determine the exact cause. At this point, we cannot rule out electrical malfunction, but we need more evidence,” said Council spokesperson Innocent Ruwende.
Fires in Harare’s CBD have become increasingly common in recent years, often linked to aging infrastructure, poor wiring, and lack of compliance with safety regulations. Similar blazes have previously devastated Glen View Home Industry Complex, Siyaso, and Mbare Musika, leaving thousands of traders in economic ruin.
Urban planning experts have long warned that many commercial buildings in the city center are fire hazards due to outdated electrical systems, overcrowding, and inadequate safety equipment. Calls have grown louder for authorities to tighten safety inspections and enforce building codes.
While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, early estimates suggest losses could run into tens of thousands of dollars. Insurance penetration among small traders remains low in Zimbabwe, meaning most of those affected face the daunting prospect of starting over from scratch.
Economist John Robertson noted that the ripple effects will be felt beyond the traders themselves. “Such fires not only destroy livelihoods but also disrupt supply chains, reduce employment opportunities, and ultimately affect consumer spending in the city,” he said.
By late afternoon, groups of well-wishers, passersby, and fellow businesspeople gathered around the smouldering ruins, offering comfort to affected traders. Social media was flooded with images and videos of the fire, with many Zimbabweans calling for a relief fund to assist the victims.
Civil society organizations and churches have also pledged support, with some mobilizing food aid and temporary shelter for those most affected. “This is a tragedy that has left many families vulnerable. We cannot stand by and do nothing,” said Pastor Joseph Moyo of a local church that has already started collecting donations.
For the traders whose businesses were reduced to ashes, the road to recovery will be long and uncertain. Many expressed frustration at what they see as inadequate preparedness by city authorities to deal with such disasters.
“This should be a wake-up call,” said Ms. Nyandoro. “We cannot continue losing our livelihoods to fires while nothing changes. We need safer buildings, proper inspections, and real support for small businesses.”
As investigations continue, Harare’s CBD now bears yet another scar from a disaster that could have been prevented. For the traders of Chinhoyi Street and Speke Avenue, Wednesday’s fire was not just a blaze — it was the destruction of dreams, livelihoods, and futures.
Source – zimeye
