Fire destroys 20 stalls at Machinga Complex in Dodoma

DODOMA: A fire that broke out at Machinga Complex Market in Dodoma on the night of September 20, 2026, destroyed 20 stalls used by 40 traders, while the Fire and Rescue Force managed to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the market.

Some affected traders said the fire started at a stall selling mobile phone accessories before spreading to nearby stalls.

Acting Dodoma Regional Fire and Rescue Commander, Rehema Menda, said the market has a total of 4,300 stalls, adding that the firefighting efforts succeeded in saving most of the market and traders’ property.

“We extinguished the fire in 20 stalls used by a total of 40 traders. We managed to save 99 per cent of the market and the traders’ property,” Menda said.

Following the incident, Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule visited Machinga Complex Market and expressed her condolences to the traders affected by the fire.

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Senyamule said the cause of the fire had not yet been established, adding that investigations were underway to determine what caused the incident.

She also said there had been no reports of deaths or injuries resulting from the fire.

The management of Machinga Complex Market described the situation during the incident and said it was continuing to work with relevant authorities to assess the damage caused by the fire.

The incident has left some traders facing losses after their stalls and property were destroyed, as authorities continue investigations into the cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage.