Fire shocks Escom

Escom yesterday said it was shocked by the fire that destroyed unspecified amount of property, including data, at the corporation’s head office in Blantyre.

Officials estimate that the fire started after midnight in the ground floor of the building before it spread to the first and second floors.

The severely damaged Escom House in the hub of Blantyre became the centre of attraction as pedestrians, motorists and others took time to see the damage the fire caused.

Escom management was the whole morning locked in an emergency meeting following the unexplained disaster that paralysed its system for some hours before it was brought back to life.

An impromptu press briefing by Escom officials, Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola and Minister of Information Brown Mpinganjira was called in the afternoon to update the nation on the calamity.

Escom chief executive officer John Kandulu said they were yet to access the first and second floors of the building because of the heat, soot and smoke engulfing the areas, rendering it impossible to assess the damage.

“The fire has been a terrible shock. It was noticed by our security guards in the wee hours before they notified other officials. Firefighters were alerted on time but they were overwhelmed. We had to engage the services of the Civil Aviation Department in Chileka that came in with reinforcement and put the fire by 4 am.

“By the grace of God, it was contained but after it destroyed some offices in the first, second and part of third floors. The flames were too much to high and it started on the ground floor. The entire ground floor was completely razed but we cannot give the extent of damage,” said Kandulu.

He said the corporation will look for alternative accommodation for its members of staff to operate from for the time being until the building is sorted out to avoid disruption of service.

He said the pre-paid service is still operational and customers can access it.

Kandulu said the revenue hall on the ground floor was the hardest hit with the destruction of computers. He, however, said back-up data remained untouched and that no information has been lost.

An apologetic Mpinganjira admitted that there was nothing much the officials had to tell the nation about the causes of the fire, extent of damage or motive because investigations were yet to be instituted.

He did not rule out foul play but said it was too early to jump to conclusions.

“We, however, felt obliged to brief Malawians even though we don’t have answers. We are asking for patience in dealing with the matter and as investigations will commence immediately as soon as we are able to get into the building. We shall keep the press updated on progress,” he said.