ACB fire did not destroy key documents—official

Fire that broke out in one of the top-floor offices of the crime-busting, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Lilongwe yesterday morning did not destroy case files and other key documents, the ACB has said.

ACB deputy director Reyneck Matemba told Nation on Sunday the fire, which started at around 6am on a wall housing several electrical equipment in an office, only burnt some insignificant office pieces of paper.

He added that G4 Security guards’ alertness to douse the fire promptly, after alerting ACB officials and getting permission to use a water hose through a window, helped to avert greater damage by the fire.

The Lilongwe City Council Fire Brigade also rushed to the fire scene and helped to finally douse the fire.

News reporters were barred from entering the ACB gate soon after the fire started and hours later when groups of security and recovery teams were assessing the damage of the fire and were also reflecting on its cause.

When the fire incident went viral on social media yesterday, many people feared that it could have destroyed key case files, equipment and gadgets containing evidence in various cases the ACB is pursuing against high-profile people, including some politicians and influential businesspersons.

But Matemba said all the case files and the key evidence had not been affected by the fire.

He, however, said even if the damage by the fire seems insignificant, an investigation is underway to establish what caused it.