Tinotenda Hove – Scores of traders at DST Home Industry in Gweru are counting their losses after a raging fire tore through their market stalls, reducing property worth thousands of dollars to ashes.

Although the cause of the inferno is yet to be confirmed, eyewitnesses suspect an electrical fault. “I was working on my station when I heard a spark in the shade where the fire started. It looks like there was a short circuit and what transpired later was quite scary,” narrated Mr. Moses Mupakurirwa. “The form rubbers were burning like paraffin and so were the asbestos. We tried to put out the fire, but the power was just too much. The fire was eventually put out by the fire brigade team. It was something that disrupted our work here as we are waiting for the quantification of the losses for us to start again.”

For many traders, the incident has completely destroyed their source of livelihood. “The incident is still fresh on my mind. It is very difficult to think that we have been left with nothing here. I tried to retrieve some of the wares but the fire was just too much. I had been given a contract by a local school where I was making 20 desks and only one desk survived the fire. It is hard to understand, but it is what it is,” one trader said.

Another trader added: “The confusion that was brought by this fire made us fail to even call the fire brigade on time. I am sure they were called in by the workers at N Richards, as we were left dumbfounded by the fire. Up to now, we are still in a state of shock. We are saying well-wishers should now intervene.”

“It is difficult to realise that we had managed to set up a place to survive. We were hopeful of growing our small businesses, but today, it is a pity that all is gone just like that. We are now poorer following this inferno,” another devastated trader said.

The government has expressed concern over the incident and urged the Small to Medium Enterprises sector to get organised and secure proper licensing for support in times of crisis. “It is a pity that we have a situation like this on our people who are trying to earn an honest living. They have indeed experienced some losses here and it is quite disturbing. We are with them at this critical juncture,” said Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Owen Ncube.

Gweru Mayor, Councillor Martin Chivhoko, echoed similar sentiments, adding: “We are very grateful to the Central government for providing us with the fire tenders, which were critical in putting out the fire during the unfortunate incident. The traders should get the necessary licensing so that they get the necessary support at the click of their fingers. You will realise that most of those who lost their wares are not registered, which makes it difficult for them to get the necessary compensation.”