Fire Guts Part of Balaka Main Market
Published on August 11, 2025 at 9:49 AM by Evance Kapito
Fire whose cause is not yet known destroyed at least four shops at Balaka main market with various merchandise around 11 pm on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
Balaka market committee chairperson, Halun Moyenda Matipa said there were speculations that one of the shop owners who was affected by the fire, was keeping petrol illegally.
“People around the area tried to extinguish the fire but to no avail because it started violently.
Various goods within the four shops including clothes, groceries and electronic accessories have been burnt to ashes and worse still, one of the shop owners had new stock before the tragedy,” he said.
One of the victims who operated as Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba agent, Julius Manase, said he was shocked after being informed of the fire that burnt his shop to ashes.
“I closed my shop and went home around 10 pm. After my supper, I received a call informing me that my shop has caught fire,” he added.
Meanwhile, Balaka Police Station Spokesperson, Inspector Gladson M’bumpha said investigations were underway to establish what caused the fire and value of destroyed properties.
