HARARE, Zimbabwe — Panic gripped the capital's central business district late last night as a fierce fire broke out at the building housing Time Bank, situated along Jason Moyo Avenue.
The blaze, which was captured in viral social media footage shared by platforms like Zimcelebz, showed orange flames gutting the ground floor of the commercial structure. Onlookers and digital citizens quickly raised alarms as smoke began to billow across the darkened city skyline, with many questioning the safety of the financial records and assets held within.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the Harare Fire Brigade arrived shortly after the alarm was raised to battle the inferno. While the full extent of the structural damage is still being assessed, initial reports suggest significant impact on the building's facade and ground-floor offices.
Time Bank building, Jason Moyo Avenue, Harare.
The cause of the fire remains a mystery. Authorities have launched an official investigation to determine if the blaze was sparked by an electrical fault, which has been a recurring issue in older CBD buildings, or other external factors.
The cause of the fire remains a mystery. Authorities have launched an official investigation to determine if the blaze was sparked by an electrical fault, which has been a recurring issue in older CBD buildings, or other external factors.
This incident adds to a concerning string of urban fires in Zimbabwe over the last year, following the devastating Mbare Musika market fire and several other commercial blazes.
"We are waiting for a full forensic report from the fire investigators before we can comment on the origin of the fire or the value of the property lost," a police spokesperson stated briefly this morning.
Time Bank, known for its historic legal battles and eventual return to the banking sector, has yet to release an official statement regarding the impact on its operations or customer services.
