Africa-Press – Tanzania. AS midnight hours raced on, the voices of people grew more panicked and tearful at the Mashine Tatu Market in Iringa municipality.
A huge fire, which broke out suddenly, erupted like unexpected thunder and consumed the dreams and hopes of hundreds of entrepreneurs in the town.
In the darkness around two o’clock in the morning, a cloud of smoke began to rise into the Iringa sky, announcing the disaster that was unfolding.
Seconds turned into pain, minutes into wailing, and hours into a sorrowful history that will not be forgotten anytime soon by the residents of this highland town.
The fire attacked the eastern side of the market and spread rapidly, burning stalls that were made of wood and worn-out iron sheets—an infrastructure that, unfortunately, was an invitation for disaster.
Food products, clothing, cosmetics, and household goods were mercilessly destroyed.
“We couldn’t even save a table… everything has burned,” cried Mama Sophia, sitting atop the rubble of her shop, which had been the dream of her family.
The Fire and Rescue team had to battle the blaze for several hours, assisted by the town’s residents who volunteered using buckets and ordinary fire extinguishers.
However, their efforts were not enough to save a large portion of the market, which has been a business hub for over two decades.
The Iringa District Commissioner, Benjamin Sitta, arrived at the scene at dawn and firmly stated:
“The government will not tolerate negligence or sabotage. A special task force has already been formed to conduct a swift and thorough investigation. Anyone found responsible, in any way, will face severe consequences.”
While some looked at what remained with eyes full of sorrow, others reached for their phones to call relatives or financial institutions—seeking emergency assistance if possible.
It is clear that their lives have been disrupted, and a quick solution is urgently needed.
The Police Force and other security organs continue to investigate as the Government offers condolences to those affected and promises support to help them resume their activities.
The Municipal leadership has also announced that it will assess the damage and prepare a short-term economic recovery plan for the victims.
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