At least 20 makeshift trading structures were destroyed in a fire that broke out at Kamwala Trading Area in Lusaka on the night of August 18, 2026.
According to the Zambia Police Service, the fire occurred behind Downtown Shopping Mall along the railway line at around 20:40 hours.
Kabwata Police Station received a report of the incident and immediately dispatched officers to the scene. Upon arrival, police found several makeshift structures engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from the Lusaka City Council Fire Brigade also responded to the emergency and successfully managed to contain and extinguish the fire before it spread further.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the blaze may have started from a brazier that had allegedly been left burning at a makeshift restaurant operating within the trading area.
Police have since opened an inquiry file to establish the exact cause of the fire and determine the circumstances that led to the incident.
Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were recorded.
However, authorities say the full extent of the damage has not yet been established. A detailed assessment will be conducted to determine the value of the property and merchandise destroyed in the fire.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over fire safety in Lusaka’s informal trading areas, where many traders rely on temporary structures and frequently use braziers and other open sources of heat for cooking and business activities.
The Zambia Police Service has urged traders operating from temporary structures to exercise extreme caution when using braziers and other fire sources.
Police have also advised traders to ensure that all cooking equipment and open flames are completely extinguished before leaving their trading spaces.
Meanwhile, members of the public have been urged to remain calm as investigations continue.
The statement was issued by Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi on August 19, 2026.
