GOODS WORTH OVER K70,000 REDUCED TO ASHES IN BUTONDO MARKET FIRE

Goods worth over Seventy Thousand Kwacha (K70,000) have been burnt to ashes after fire swept through two stores at Butondo Market in Mufulira District on the Copperbelt province.

The affected stores include a bar and a butchery, both of which suffered extensive damage in the blaze.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, however, the store owners have narrated that they received phone calls around 05:00 hours today, alerting them that their shops were on fire and immediately rushed to the market where they found that all their goods have been reduced to ashes.

One of the shop owners, Doreen Phiri, discloses that the bar that has been gutted was her only source of income, and is appealing to government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit to come to her aid.

And Hazioma Malobi, the owner of the gutted butchery says he has lost three big refrigerators stocked with meat worth over Ten Thousand Kwacha (K10,000).

Meanwhile, Butondo Ward Councilor Reuben Mukangwa says he is saddened with what has happened at the market and has since appealed to well-wishers and relevant authorities in the district to assist the affected shop owners during this time.