Kitwe shops gutted, Police fire teargas to disperse looters

Police in Kitwe this morning fired teargas canisters to disperse a crowd of looters after a fire swept through Yamji Trading company and part of Carnival Furnishers in Kitwe’s central business district destroying property worth millions of Kwacha.

Copperbelt province Police Commissioner Joyce Kasosa says the fire which started around 08:00 hours this morning has completely destroyed Yamaji trading company, where the fire is believed to have started before spreading to Carnival Furnishers.

Ms Kasosa says cause of the fire which has gutted the two shops located on Matuka Avenue opposite Kitwe main post office has not yet been established.

It took firefighting equipment from Copperbelt Energy Corporation and Mopani Copper Mines to quench the fire as the Kitwe City Council fire brigade arrived on the scene without water.

qfm