Samia consoles traders after fire razes over 500 stalls in Dar

DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed deep sorrow over the devastating fire that ravaged the Simu 2000 market stalls in Sinza Ward, Ubungo District, Dar es Salaam, over the weekend.

In a statement shared yesterday on her official WhatsApp group, President Samia extended her comforts to the traders who lost their businesses and to all residents affected by the blaze.

She directed relevant authorities to urgently investigate the fire’s cause, assess the extent of the damage and implement immediate measures to prevent further losses.

Preliminary reports indicated that over 500 market stalls were destroyed in the fire, while six councilconstructed kiosks and 280 other stalls survived.

Eyewitnesses said that the fire began between 10:00 and 11:00 pm on Saturday.

By the time citizens arrived at the market around midnight, rescue efforts were underway, with some traders salvaging goods from unaffected stalls.

The Acting Regional Fire and Rescue Commander of Kinondoni, Joseph Chacha, said the first report was received around 11:00 pm.

In collaboration with fire units from Mbweni, Lugalo and Ilala, firefighting teams were quickly mobilised.

However, by the time they arrived, more than half of the stalls had already been consumed by flames.

“Preliminary assessment shows that over 500 stalls were burned, 280 survived and six council-built kiosks survived,” Commander Chacha said.

He added that many of the stalls were constructed using timber, which contributed to the fire’s rapid spread.

Despite the scale of the damage, he expressed relief that no injuries or deaths occurred.

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Mr Chacha urged traders to use fire-resistant materials in their stall construction and recommended the installation of fire safety equipment to help contain future incidents.

An investigation into the fire’s cause will begin once firefighting operations conclude.

Ubungo District Commissioner Mr Albert Msando who visited the scene shortly after the fire, thanked residents and traders for their cooperation during the firefighting efforts.

He noted that some traders had been transporting goods to the market at the time of the fire and urged business leaders to work with the police to ensure safe storage solutions.

For those whose property was destroyed, Mr Msando said it was too early to outline government support, urging patience.

He also warned traders who had erected stalls in unauthorized areas, including pedestrian paths, to remove them voluntarily, emphasising that enforcement action would be a last resort.

Omar Mangungu, an eyewitness and beverage trader at the market, said the fire began near a neighbouring stall selling mattresses and duvets.

“The materials being sold, such as spongy items, caused the fire to spread very quickly,” he explained.

Another trader, Doto Ally expressed frustration, saying that the fire broke out just two days after the market had been relocated to accommodate new construction.

“It feels almost like bad luck or a curse. I was at the far end of the market and the fire didn’t reach there, but my colleagues closer to it lost everything,” he said, estimating his loss at over 2m/-.

A handbag vendor, Apolonia Ngowi said she had recently stocked goods worth 600,000/-.

When the fire started, she had left her stall under the care of her neighbour while she attended prayers. Upon returning, she found everything destroyed, with losses exceeding 8m/-.

Ngowi appealed to the government to create a safe and supportive environment for traders, stressing that market activities are crucial for their daily livelihoods and families.