Kapalala market gutted again, police say

AFTER almost five years of Kapalala market in Ndola’s Masala area having been gutted by a fire which saw to many traders being left without a place to trade, part of the market has once again been gutted.

Traders have once again been forced to relive the nightmare that left many of their businesses in shambles, with many relying on the market to fend for families.

The incident is believed to have occurred yesterday at around 20:30 hours when the fire started at an unknown point and has left a huge portion of the new market being engulfed in flames , while the value of property lost is yet to be ascertained.

Copperbelt Province Commanding officer Sharon Zulu said Police received a report of fire incident which was reported at Masala market police post under Masala main Police Station yesterday.

She said the incident occurred at new Kapala market and Police quickly moved on site to protect and secure the environment.

“The fire brigade were informed and moved in quickly to quench the fire ,but could not complete as they did not have enough water hence they took time to quench it. Another was also to access through the roads to get to the points of fire before it could spread further. Brief facts of the matter are that yesterday at about 20:30hours fire started at unknown point which later spread out to one side of the Market,” she said.

Ms Zulu said the fire was later quenched by combined team of fire fighters drawn from other fire stations based in Ndola, Luanshya and Kitwe.

“The cause of fire is not yet known .Police have since executed investigations into the matter to determine the cause and also to bring the culprits to book. The value of the destroyed properties is yet to be ascertained too. Meanwhile Police officers will continue guarding the premises to prevent the would be looters,” she said.

This article originally appeared on Mwebantu