Massive Fire Breaks Out at Zimbabwe National Army Headquarters in Harare

Massive Fire at Zimbabwe Army Headquarters: What We Know So Far

A massive fire broke out early Sunday morning at the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) headquarters located at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare. The blaze caused extensive damage to some offices, but fortunately, no casualties were reported.

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Early Morning Inferno

The fire started around 2:50 a.m., according to a press release from the ZNA.

“The incident occurred in the early hours of December 15, 2024, at around 2:50 a.m. Firefighters were dispatched and managed to contain the blaze,” said Colonel Alphios Makotore, Director of Army Public Relations.

The affected complex, formerly known as King George VI (KG6) Barracks, houses the administrative offices of the army headquarters.

Details about the extent of the damage remain unclear, but officials assured the public that investigations into the cause of the fire will commence promptly.

Colonel Makotore added,

“The ZNA regrets to inform the public about the incident and will continue giving updates as more information becomes available.”

Presidential Spokesperson Speaks On Fire At Army Headquarters

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, also commented on the incident via his Twitter account.  The Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications acknowledged the severity of the fire but reassured the public that no one was injured.

“We had a bad fire incident at the Army Headquarters at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks early this morning. Thankfully no one was hurt, although damages to buildings and other valuable property were extensive,” Charamba tweeted.

He further noted that traffic along Borrowdale Road was unaffected by the incident.

Investigation Underway

As of now, the cause of the fire remains unknown. Both the ZNA and other authorities are expected to release updates once investigations are complete.

While the fire has disrupted administrative operations at the barracks, the ZNA’s quick response and the efforts of firefighters helped prevent further escalation.