A fire broke out at the Sabasaba Timber Market in Ilemela Municipality, Mwanza Region, Tanzania, overnight into Tuesday, September 22, 2026. The blaze was successfully contained through the joint efforts of the Fire and Rescue Force, police, and citizens. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of the market, which supports over 1,000 operators. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
This is the second fire incident at the market within roughly a year and a half. The first occurred on March 17, 2025, affecting over 30 traders. The cause of that fire also remained unestablished in initial reports. Mwanza Regional Commissioner Salum Hamduni has announced plans to form a specialist team to investigate the root causes of the fires, evaluate the circumstances, and recommend preventative measures.
The specialist team will conduct a thorough inquiry into the outbreak, quantify the damage, and propose safety enhancements. The team will investigate to uncover the cause and extent of the damage, while advising on steps to prevent future occurrences. This move aims to establish whether safety gaps persisted following the previous disaster.
The recurrence of the fire demands scrutiny to establish whether safety gaps persisted following the previous disaster. Mwanza Regional Commissioner Salum Hamduni noted that the repetition suggests flaws somewhere. The expert team will provide a detailed control report to help prevent future occurrences.
During the March 17, 2025 incident, which began around 1:00 am, 30 traders were affected. The fire brigade halted its spread. Former Regional Commissioner Said Mtanda previously ordered a probe and urged traders to heighten disaster vigilance. The market plays a crucial role in the local economy, and the fire has raised concerns about the impact on traders and the community.
A local trader, Fikiri Chalse, received news at home and arrived between 2:00 am and 3:00 am to find flames still raging. He expressed concerns about the value of the destroyed property, saying people face bankruptcy. The incident has highlighted the need for improved safety measures and emergency preparedness in the market.
The Mwanza Regional Commissioner has assured that the government is committed to supporting the affected traders and ensuring that the market is made safer. The government will work with stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the specialist team and prevent future fire incidents.
Key points
- The fire is the second incident at the Sabasaba Timber Market in roughly a year and a half.
- A specialist team will investigate the root causes of the fires and recommend preventative measures.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of the market, which supports over 1,000 operators.
