The Jirama agency in Tanjombato was hit by two successive fires on Saturday and Sunday. New electrical meters were destroyed. The Jirama warehouse where electrical meters were stored caught fire again yesterday, just a day after the first blaze. The damage has worsened.
During the first fire, one hundred ninety-six new electrical meters were damaged. They will be transferred to a specialized laboratory to verify if any can still be used, according to the Ministry of Energy and Hydrocarbons (MEH).
The incident led to a temporary halt in electricity distribution in the area to prevent fire spread and other risks. Firefighters and law enforcement, mobilized quickly, managed to control the fire after several minutes of fighting on Saturday.
The fire originated in a neighboring house before spreading to the Jirama building, according to an official report. Firefighters from Tsaralalàna, supported by two trucks, intervened around 5:30 p.m. and fully extinguished the flames around 6 p.m. The rapid response unit from Tanjombato's central police station participated in rescue operations, evacuating people present and securing the area.
No deaths were recorded. A witness reported: "Firefighting was still ongoing. One rescuer was injured by a falling beam while fighting the flames inside. He was immediately taken to the hospital."
Police indicate that the rear section of the building was completely destroyed in the first fire. Officers were divided into two teams, one protecting the surroundings, the other patrolling to prevent intrusion or looting. The Criminal Brigade and Scientific Police have been tasked with determining the exact causes of these fires. It is noted that on Saturday, only a guard and one on-duty agent were present.
Beyond the destroyed meters, cables, panels, and various equipment were reduced to ashes in the warehouse. The offices of meter readers and the technical service, located upstairs, were also destroyed.
The MEH has requested thorough investigations to establish responsibility and prevent such incidents from recurring.