A Bezbets shop and other shops were gutted by fire overnight in Harare City Centre. The overnight fire ripped through a building in the heart of Harare, reducing several businesses to ashes and causing losses estimated to be in the thousands of US dollars. The incident, which began in the early hours of the morning, has left a trail of destruction and devastated business owners in its wake.
The multi-business complex situated at the corner of Chinhoyi Street and Agostinho Neto Avenue was almost entirely gutted by the fierce blaze.
Bezbets And Other Shops Gutted As Overnight Fire Ravages Harare City Centre
Among the worst hit was the popular betting outlet, Bezbets, which was completely destroyed. Adjacent clothing boutiques on the ground floor, a hair salon, and a pool hall also suffered catastrophic damage.
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Onlookers reported a scene of utter ruin, with the pool hall’s tables obliterated and electronic equipment, such as computers and televisions, partially melted by the intense heat.
Managers and security staff present at the time of the incident provided crucial early accounts. They confirmed that the fire originated on the building’s ground level and then spread rapidly. One security guard, who wished to remain anonymous, described the challenges faced by emergency services, stating,
“The fire brigade’s response was hindered by a lack of water in their trucks.”
This critical shortage reportedly hampered efforts to contain the blaze before it could cause widespread destruction.
Business Owners Left With Losses After Fire
As the sun rose, a crowd of shell-shocked shop owners and their employees gathered at the site, many visibly distraught as they surveyed the smouldering remains of their livelihoods.
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Some made desperate attempts to salvage any surviving stock from the charred wreckage. The cause of the fire remains a mystery, with authorities yet to determine what sparked the catastrophic event that has left a significant scar on the city’s central business district.
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The post Bezbets And Other Shops Gutted As Overnight Fire Ravages Harare City Centre appeared first on iHarare News.
