The City of Harare Fire Brigade this morning managed to contain another fire that broke out at the Glen View 8 Home Industry complex after battling the inferno for hours.

City authorities mobilised water tankers to ensure fire engines did not have to return to stations to refill, allowing crews to remain on site.

Corporate Communications Manager Stanley Gama commended the brigade for preventing the fire from spreading to nearby homes.

“The fire was eventually contained after hours of heroic work by our Fire Brigade.

“These men and women have shown time and again that they will deliver when called to duty,” Gama said.

“I’m told the fire was threatening even nearby homes but our fire teams managed to contain the situation.

“We are still investigating the cause of the fire,” he said.

No casualties have been reported, but the extent of property damage is yet to be assessed.

A History of Recurrent Fires

The latest blaze adds to a long history of fires at Glen View 8, one of Harare’s busiest informal furniture manufacturing hubs.

The complex, home to more than 4,000 carpenters, upholsterers and small traders operating across five hectares, has suffered at least 14 major fires in the past two decades, according to City of Harare and Civil Protection Unit records.

Cumulative losses are estimated at over US$3 million, with individual fires destroying goods worth up to US$100,000.

The most recent major outbreak in May 2026 reduced timber, finished wardrobes and upholstery to ash.

This was just months after a July 2025 fire that prompted President Emmerson Mnangagwa to declare the site a national disaster.

Cause of Fire

Traders and city officials cite multiple factors.

These include illegal electricity connections, vandalised and blocked fire hydrants, lack of firebreaks, highly combustible material, and congested wooden stalls.

Traders have also alleged deliberate arson linked to extortion syndicates and leadership wrangles over the lucrative US$3 monthly levy collected from each operator.

“I have been a victim seven times already.

“I came here in 2009, but the fires started in 2015.

“Each time, I feel like I am back to square one,” carpenter Patrick Munemo said after losing 17 sofas in last year’s fire.

Following repeated outbreaks, government and the Harare City Council have announced plans to relocate traders temporarily to Chemhanza Grounds in Glen View 3.

They also promised to fast-track construction of a modern, fire-compliant complex.

The promised redevelopment, pledged to be commissioned before April 2026, remains unbuilt.