Maravi

3 die in Mongu shop infernal

3 die in Mongu shop infernal
By Justine Akakulubelwa in Mongu
Tuesday June 03, 2008 [04:00]

THREE people were burnt to death when the shop in which they were sleeping caught fire in Mongu’s main trading area. The fire also destroyed property worth millions of kwacha belonging to one of the victims who owned the gutted Dayow Wholesalers shop. The victims, who are of Somali origin, are said to have been asleep inside the shop when it caught fire in unexplained circumstances. The inferno, which is believed to have started around midnight was only spotted by onlookers and a security guard around 04:00 hours.

The rescuers only managed to retrieve one burnt body at the time leaving two others still trapped while hundreds of Mongu residents watched helplessly as the inferno engulfed the building.

Some Mongu residents expressed their anger over the local authority fire brigade’s failure to quench the fire.
A Civil Aviation Fire Tender and Landrover arrived on scene around 07:00 hours but failed to put off the inferno due to the limited capacity.

Mongu Mayor, Charles Akende described the inferno as unfortunate.
He appealed to all shop owners to equip themselves with fire extinguishers to avert loss of life and property.

Akende said he would soon sensitise all shop owners in the municipality on the need to acquire fire extinguishers for their premises.

The inferno is the second one in a space of two days after another shop was gutted in the same trading area.

Labels: MARKETEERS, MONGU

posted by MrK @ 7:54 AM