Buseko Market fire destroys property and leads to theft arrests in Lusaka

A fire at Buseko Market in the Matero area of Lusaka destroyed timber stalls, merchandise, and various trading premises on the night of Sunday, August 30, 2026. The blaze reportedly began in an open section on the eastern side of the market where wooden poles and planks are sold, before spreading to adjacent shops.

Preliminary investigations by the Zambia Police Service suggest that an unattended charcoal brazier may have contributed to the outbreak, though a formal inquiry is underway to confirm the exact cause. The fire was eventually extinguished by a joint effort involving the Lusaka City Council Fire Brigade, Zambia National Service, Zambia Air Force, and TAZAMA. No deaths or injuries were reported.

During the incident, police apprehended two males, aged 17 and 18, on suspicion of theft. Authorities recovered three Bonanza gaming machines from the suspects, who were allegedly found removing the items from an affected shop. While the total value of the destroyed property has not yet been quantified, a detailed assessment will be conducted as traders submit their loss reports.