Fire destroys 180 shops in Arusha

At least 180 shops have been destroyed by fire which broke-out on Monday evening in a flea market in Arusha Region.

Since the incident occurred close to the city’s fire brigade main station, the fire department there is receiving heavy criticism and been blamed for slow and
in adequate action.

Eyewitnesses said the fire erupted at around 9pm in an area popular for selling Maasai traditional made attires and other regalia.
Chairman of the market, Mussa Kakulula said the fire broke out after working hours and that while no one was hurt, goods worth millions of shillings were destroyed by the blaze.

"The fire broke out at around 9pm...all traders were not around when fire erupted," he said.
According to Kakulula, it is still difficult to establish the cause of the fire but noted that the market is not connected to electricity.
One of the traders at the market, Gofrey Emanuel, described the fire as disastrous to them as most rely on the market to provide for their families and many also did not have any insurance.

The outgoing Arusha Regional Commissioner, Magesa Mulongo blamed the fire fighting department for failure to put out the fire.

"I cannot imagine a fire broke out just a few meters from the fire fighting office and yet they still delayed to respond," he said.

“Worse still, when they arrived at the scene they didn’t have water,” he alleged.

However the official did not mention whether the fire department would be taken to task for the slow response and subsequent loss of millions that were the sole source of revenue for hundreds of families.