A large amount of property has been destroyed and stolen following a fire that broke out on Wednesday evening in Ng’oma area which bordered Senti area in Lilongwe city.

The fire is said to have started at around 9 pm on the roof of a locked shop selling various goods such as furniture, just after the lights came on.

According to one of the workers at the shop, Mr. Dikirani Tomoya, the fire has burnt wood and a lot of furniture which the owners hope to take away when it is over.

“Following the burning of the fire, many people came to help in stopping the fire as the fire fighters were chased away people for coming late and nor fully prepared.

They went on to explain that although some people helped them put out the fire using water, some people started looting other shops and stealing various goods.

However, it has been noted, some pharmacies, barber shops, hardware stores, as well as the sale and distribution of hand tools were affected by the act of theft.

The owner of Stephano Hardware, Stephano Steward, has complained that the act of theft has set his business back.

On his part, the owner of a shop selling mobile phone accessories, Mr. Justin Kuthakwaanthu, said that apart from stealing their goods, these people also stole various goods from customers, including laptops.