FIRE SWEEPS THROUGH KITWE’S CHISOKONE MARKET AGAIN

A fire has swept through Kitwe’s Chisokone Market destroying property and products worth thousands of kwacha.

The fire which started last night also destroyed the curio market and neighboring shops near to Euro Bus Station.

A Phoenix News crew that rushed to the market found the affected shop owners watching in disbelief as the infernal swept through their property.

Some shop owners found at the scene wept uncontrollably while others complained that they have lost their hard-earned money, leaving them helpless.

Meanwhile, Kitwe City Council Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer, Benson Kalumbeta disclosed to phoenix news that the cause of the fire, which started around 20:45 hours is yet to be established.

Mr. Kalumbeta, however, complained that the fire spread swiftly after some unscrupulous individuals stoned the fire engine at first response and shuttered its windscreen, preventing officers from extinguishing the blaze for about an hour.

And Kitwe Mayor Mpasa Mwaya who was at the scene condemned the attack on the fire engine by some individuals who took advantage of the situation and looted surrounding shops forcing operations to extend into the early hours of today.

Earlier, Kitwe Town Clerk Patrick Kambita said the local authority will ensure that marketeers stop spending nights in markets as this was a fire hazard, contending that this could have been the source of the fire.

The fire which was reported in the early hours of last night was only brought under control around 23:00hrs after collaborative effort from the Kitwe, Ndola, and Kalulushi District Fire Departments and assistance from the Copperbelt Energy Corporation-CEC- and Mopani Copper Mines fire engines.