Mbare Inferno: Fire Destroys Magaba Complex Again Nine Months After Last Blaze

Magaba Complex Destroyed Again By Fire Nine Months After Last Blaze

A devastating blaze has ripped through the Magaba Complex in Mbare for the second time in less than a year, leaving yet another trail of destruction and shattered livelihoods among the informal traders who operate there.

The City of Harare confirmed in a series of urgent statements on Friday, February 13, 2026, that firefighters are currently battling to bring the raging inferno under control. This latest disaster comes just nine months after a similar fire destroyed property at the same location in May 2025.

Firefighters Battle Blaze As Traders Watch In Horror

The City of Harare issued its first alert at 01:50 on Friday morning, stating:

“Happening now… A huge fire has broken out at Magaba Complex in Mbare. Our fire fighters promptly responded when the call was made and they are currently working to put the raging inferno under control. We urge residents to exercise extreme caution around the affected area.”

Just 55 minutes later, the local authority provided an update on the crisis. According to the City of Harare:

“The situation at Magaba Complex where our Fire Brigade team is battling to put this massive inferno under control. Three fire tenders have been deployed to fight the fire. To avoid a situation where our fire tenders have to be driven back to the fire station to fetch more water, the Emergency Help Group provided tankers of water.”

US$15,000 Gone In Previous Inferno – History Repeats

The Magaba Complex has become synonymous with recurring fire disasters. In May 2025, a similar inferno tore through the same area, destroying essential tools including grinders, fridges, drills, and plumbing materials.

At the time, Mr Christopher Makopa, chairperson of the Mukuvisi Manufacturing Traders Association, estimated the loss at approximately US$15,000 (approximately R275,000). According to the Herald,

“It is sad that traders were affected by the inferno which destroyed their property. I was called by security informing me of the incident, and I want to thank the fire brigade for their swift reaction because we could have lost a lot more. According to our preliminary investigations, the property damaged is approximately US$15,000.”

Former Zanu PF Ward 4 Councillor Boniface Maburutse expressed his distress following the 2025 incident, stating:

“My heartfelt sympathies go out to all the affected families and business owners who have suffered immense losses. This tragedy is a painful reminder of the urgent need to improve safety measures and infrastructure in our informal trading spaces. I urge all stakeholders, including Government departments and private partners, to come together swiftly to support the affected and to implement lasting solutions.”

Those calls now ring hollow for traders who watched history repeat itself in the early hours of Friday morning.

The fires are not isolated to Mbare. In July 2025, a fire at the Glenview 8 home industry destroyed property worth approximately US$100,000 (approximately R1.84 million), affecting over 100 traders.

Councillor Ngadziore said at the time:

“The affected traders include those manufacturing wardrobes, kitchen units, sofas, and other carpentry products. The estimated loss is approximately US$100,000. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was unintentionally started by security guards on duty, who were warming themselves by a fire that later spread around 5:00 AM.”

As of the early hours of February 13, 2026, the cause of the latest inferno had not yet been announced.

The Magaba Complex has suffered repeated fire outbreaks in recent years. In October 2024, a major fire also destroyed parts of the Mbare Musika vegetable market, prompting a Government-led reconstruction project.

Residents have repeatedly called for improved fire safety systems, including hydrants and better infrastructure, in informal trading spaces.