By Tanyaradzwa Chigumbu

A fierce fire broke out at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Thursday at the Ikwelo Complex on 6th Street, between Stanbic Bank and Zuva Filling Station in Gweru, destroying more than five vendor-owned shops within minutes.

The fast-spreading flames engulfed the shops and destroyed property and merchandise, including furniture, clothing, textiles, electronics, mobile phones, groceries and building materials. Several businesses specialising in cellphone sales and repairs were also affected.

Shop owners arrived at the scene in shock and distress, with some having been alerted to the incident while others only discovered the devastation upon reaching their premises. For many, the fire reduced years of hard work and investment to ashes in a matter of minutes.

The cause of the fire is suspected to be an electrical fault, although this has yet to be officially confirmed. An official comment on the incident was still outstanding at the time of writing.

One of the worst-affected businesses was Shop No. 18, which sold groceries. The female owner was reportedly overwhelmed with emotion as she watched her entire stock go up in flames. Efforts to obtain a comment from her and other affected shop owners were unsuccessful.

Among those counting heavy losses is 47-year-old Lawrence Tizola, the owner of Shop No. 20, who specialised in selling and repairing mobile phones, laptops and other information technology (IT) accessories and devices.

Tizola, who has six children, said he had spent years building his business and serving customers in Gweru, earning a living through the sale and repair of electronic devices.

“All my life, since I started in the IT business, I have been buying, selling and repairing cellphones, laptops and other IT accessories and devices. From burner phones to the latest smartphones, I have always tried to meet my customers’ needs,” he said.

He estimated that the stock in his shop was worth more than US$2,000, adding that he had built a reputation for sourcing products for customers and delivering them within seven days.

“Right now, my shop has been reduced to ashes. Everything is gone, including even the smallest items, such as the screwdriver I used to open phones for repairs,” he said.

Tizola appealed to well-wishers for assistance to help him rebuild his business, restock his shop and meet his financial obligations, including rent for both his home and workplace.

“I have spent my life working with my hands to support my parents, who have depended on me since I became established in this city of progress. As things stand, I am back to zero,” he said.

“My prayer to all well-wishers is to please help me start again. May God bless you in advance.”

Meanwhile, another trader, Mr Dandaro, who specialises in electrical appliances, said his shop had escaped extensive damage after the fire department responded to the incident.

According to Dandaro, some items in his shop had begun to catch fire, but the firefighters arrived in time to contain the blaze, limiting the damage to his business.

He expressed sympathy for his neighbours who had suffered devastating losses, saying his thoughts and prayers were with those who had lost their stock and livelihoods.

“Only God knows why my shop was spared. My prayers right now are mostly for my neighbours who have lost everything,” he said.

The incident has left several traders facing an uncertain future as they begin to assess their losses and consider how to rebuild their businesses.