A family lost everything in a fire at Soamanandrariny. The sawmill, two vehicles and several homes were destroyed, with damages estimated at 140 million ariary.
In Soamanandrariny, a fire that broke out during the night of September 4-5 ravaged a sawmill and several neighboring homes. Losses are estimated at approximately 140 million ariary. At the time of the fire, the family owning the business was in Manjakandriana attending a famadihana.
For this family of five, ten years of work and savings went up in smoke. The sawmill and its equipment, valued at around 70 million ariary, were completely destroyed. Two vehicles, a 3.5-ton truck and a Starex, valued at an estimated 40 million ariary, also burned.
"Even the school supplies we had just bought for the children were destroyed," the family laments, saying they only kept their clothes.
The fire also affected neighboring homes. A house occupied by six families was partially burned, with damages estimated at 20 million ariary. Four other houses were reached by the spreading flames, with damages assessed at nearly 10 million ariary. Roofs, doors and personal belongings were notably damaged. In total, around thirty households were affected by the disaster.
Firefighters from Tsaralalàna, Andravoahangy and Analamahitsy, with support from the gendarmerie and residents, were alerted around 1 a.m. and intervened to control the flames. Jirama also sent a team to cut electricity and limit risks related to the fire.
No injuries were reported. The Rafinaritra family, owners of the sawmill, apologized to neighbors and customers whose orders were destroyed.
The origin of the fire remains undetermined, according to the gendarmerie. Employees present said they discovered the flames while sleeping before raising the alarm.
For this family, the toll is heavy: in just a few hours, ten years of work were reduced to ashes.