Mchinji District Disaster Risk Management Office says it is assessing damage caused by mysterious fire that burnt houses and business premises at Waliranji Trading Centre in the district.
Seven households have been displaced after a fire destroyed homes and business structures at the trading centre in Traditional Authority Mavwere on June 24 2026.
Although no injuries or deaths were recorded, the disaster displaced 11 females and seven males, including one elderly person and seven school-going children.
Mchinji district acting disaster and risk management officer Chisomo Kuchepa said the purpose of the assessment is to determine the impact of the disaster and identify the immediate needs of the affected families.
“Our role is to coordinate disaster response by working with local committees,
councillors, members of Parliament and well-wishers. Although police investigations into the cause of the fire are still underway, the affected households urgently require assistance to recover from the disaster,” he said.
A rapid assessment conducted by the area disaster and risk management committee and verified by the district disaster and risk management committee revealed that the affected families are staying with relatives, neighbours and other well-wishers after losing their possessions.
Waliranji area disaster and risk management committee chairperson Moses Kasamira said the committee quickly conducted an assessment to establish the extent of the damage and report the situation to district authorities.
“The fire has left families without shelter, food and household belongings. We appeal to government, organisations and well-wishers to support the affected households,” he said.
Although the cause of the fire has not yet been established, some affected residents suspect unknown individuals may have deliberately started it.
The matter has since been reported to Namizana Police Unit.
The preliminary assessment report says about 800 kilogrammes of maize grain, maize flour and other food items were destroyed, along with furniture, clothing, kitchen utensils and mobile phones
