View source for 2017 Lusaka City market fire

{{Infobox news event
|title                    = Lusaka  City Market Fire
|image                    = 2017 Lusaka City Market fire.jpeg
|image_name               = 2017 Lusaka City Market fire
|image_size               =
|caption                  = 2017 [[Lusaka City Market]] fire
|date                     = 4 July, 2017
|time                     = 05:20
|place = [[Lusaka]], [[Zambia]]
|coordinates              =
|also known as            = City Market Fire
|cause                    = 
|first reporter           =
|filmed by                =
|participants             =
|outcome                  =
|reported death(s)        = 0
|reported injuries        = 0
|reported missing         = 0
|reported property damage =Market
|burial                   =
|inquiries                =
|inquest                  =
|coroner                  =
|suspects                 = Non
|charges                  =
|verdict                  =
|convictions              =
|publication bans         =
|litigation               =
|awards                   =
|url                      =
|website                  =
|notes                    =
}}


The '''2017 City market fire''' was a fire accident that occurred at a marketplace in [[Lusaka]], the capital city of Zambia on 4 July 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fire destroys Zambia’s biggest trading hub, City Market |url= http://blog.antvt.com/2017/07/04/fire-destroys-zambias-biggest-trading-hub-city-market/ |last= media |first= Anttention |work= antvt.com|location=Lusaka|date=4 July 2017|accessdate=2017-07-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Where were the police and PF ‘soldiers’ guarding City market |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/07/04/police-pf-soldiers-guarding-city-market/|last=Kaseba |first=Kasebamashila |work= Lusaka Times|location=Lusaka|date=4 July 2017|accessdate=2017-07-04}}</ref><ref name=SSS>{{cite news|title=Lusaka City Market is onFire|url=http://www.herald.co.zw/lusaka-city-market-is-on-fire|work= Herald.co.zw |location=Lusaka|date=4 July 2017|accessdate=2017-07-04}}</ref> It is estimated that property worth millions of kwacha was been destroyed in the fire. Initial reports indicate that no one was killed. This is the country’s biggest and busiest market and is one of the many public and private buildings to
have been set ablaze in recent months.

==The accident==
In early hours of Tuesday morning the Market was found engulfed in fire as shop owners cried helplessly while watching thier property being burn to ashes. It is unclear how the fire started and it is also unclear what time it started same report that the fire stared around 02:00<ref>{{cite news|title=BREAKING NEWS!!! Lusaka City Market On Fire (PICTURES) |url= http://www.zambianobserver.com/breaking-news-lusaka-city-market-on-fire/ |work= Zambian Observes|location=zambianobserver.com |date=4 July 2017|accessdate=2017-07-04}}</ref> 04:30<ref name=SSS/> and also 05:20. While a police report reported that the fire started aroound 05:20 hours from one of the shops on the southern part of the market in the area called Dark yellow shops, an area where stationery and mobile phones are sold.<ref>{{cite news|title= police are yet to ascertain the cause of the fire|url=http://www.zambianobserver.com/police-are-yet-to-ascertain-the-cause-of-the-fire/ |work= zambianobserver.com |location= Lusaka Zambia |date=4 July 2017|accessdate=2017-07-04}}</ref> The [[Lusaka City fire fighters]] were first on the ground trying to save the market.

== Response ==
[[President Lungu]] state out that the perpetrators of these acts of arson, sabotage and vandalism are taking government and the law for granted and therefore government will not rest until these criminals are brought to book.<ref name=FIF/> He also stated out that the nation must remain calm and ensure no retaliatory action is taken to worsen the situation. He also stated out that Zambians should  remain patient as they await a full report by security services on the fire that has gutted city market.<ref>{{cite news|title= President Lungu calls for calm after fire guts Lusaka City Market|url= https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/07/04/president-lungu-calls-calm-fire-guts-lusaka-city-market/ |issue=12 June 2014|publisher=Lusaka Times}}</ref>
[[Vice President]] [[Inonge Wina]] also alleged that this was an act of sabotage she also stated out that there will be no mercy to the perpetrators of the crime once they are caught.<ref name=FIF>{{cite news|title=City market gutted!|url=https://www.qfmzambia.com/2017/07/04/city-market-gutted/|issue=12 June 2014|publisher=Q FM Zambia}}</ref> Patrick Kangwa [[Disaster Management Unit]] (DMMU) National Coordinator reported that  investigations are underway to establish the cause and extent of damage of the fire.<ref name=FIF/>

The [[UPND]] party issued a statement in which they called out the Zambia Police forensics specialists and th Fire Department to take a proffessional and thorough look as to what could have caused this unfortunate incident.<ref name=UPND>{{cite news|title= UPND issues a Statement on the Fire that Gutted Lusaka City Market|url= https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/07/04/upnd-issues-statement-fire-gutted-lusaka-city-market/|issue=12 June 2014|publisher=Lusaka Times}}</ref> The statement also stated out that those that find comfort in politicizing such tragedies to lay off their hands and let independent proffessionals do their job unhindered.
===State of emergency===
{{main| 2017 state of emergency|President Lungu’s Speech to the Nation on the Declaration Relating to Threatened Emergency}}

On 5 July President Lungu declared a [[State of Emergency]] by invoking Article 31 of the Zambian constitution.<ref name=SOE>{{cite news|title=President Lungu Declares State Of Emergency |url= https://zambiareports.com/2017/07/05/president-lungu-declares-state-emergency/ |issue=6 July 2014|publisher=Zambia Reports}}</ref> In his speech he stated out 
that there is no doubt perpetrators of this act is to make the country ungovernable. As president, he will not tolerate this lawslessness, he also pointed out that it was not an easy decision to make but was left with no choice as the primary responsibility is to protect life and property.

==Post accident==
On 11 July 2017, the committee of ministers appointed by President Lungu to look into the rebuilding of [[Lusaka City Market]] resolved that the trading place would be rebuilt in six weeks. The reconstruction would be led by the [[Zambia National Service]] (ZNS) in collaboration with the [[Lusaka City Council]] (LCC), and the business community.<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/07/11/committee-resolves-rebuild-lusaka-city-market-6-weeks/ Committee resolves to rebuild Lusaka City Market in 6 weeks], [[Lusaka Times]], 11 July 2017</ref>

==Related videos==
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*{{#ev:youtube|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RudErc6Ckk|420||On 4 July 2017, the Lusaka City Market fire was gutted by fire and property worth millions of Kwacha was destroyed.|frame}}
}}


==Also See==
* [[The second 2017 Lusaka City market fire|2nd 2017 Lusaka City market fire]]
* [[2017 Misisi Charcoal market fire]]
* [[2017 state of emergency]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:2017 fires]]
[[Category:2017 disasters in Zambia|fire]]
[[Category:July 2017 events]]
[[Category:History of Lusaka]]
[[Category:Emergency laws in Zambia]]
[[Category:Current events from July 2017]]
[[Category:National crises]]