Fire has gutted Nakambala Market in Mazabuka destroying property worth K284,680.
Southern Province police commisioner Godwin Phiri confirmed in a statement released to Sky FM that the incident happened Wednesday between 21:00 hours and 22:00 hours.
Phiri said about 14 shops made out of iron sheets were engulfed in fire on the northern part of the market and various goods ranging from agricultural inputs, groceries, hardware, households, electrical and carpentry have been destroyed in the inferno.
ZESCO personnel were on the scene and had already secured the area but no fire tenders were found on the scene at time police arrived.
Names of those who had their shops burnt to ashes include Beldon Kabuku, Twaambo Chaiwalila and Humphrey Mulinda, all dealers in agricultural inputs; Amos Mweemba, Miyoba Obrian and Ranohstus Kandolo, all carpenters, Zidani Siwale, Dorcus Nyirenda, Peckson Hangoma, Vian Sikwale and Andrew Phiri, who deal in groceries; Luka Makulila, a dealer in electronics; and John Zondi Mwanza, a dealer in phone accessories.
Police suspect that the fire could have started from the carpentry shops were it is suspected that the watchmen could have been cooking using a brazier or smoking and the cotton accidentally caught fire.
Investigations are still ongoing to try and establish actual cause of the inferno.