A family lost everything in a fire in Soamanandrariny. The sawmill, two vehicles, and several homes were ravaged, with damages estimated at 140 million ariary.
In Soamanandrariny, a fire that occurred during the night of September 4 to 5 destroyed a sawmill and several neighboring houses. Losses are estimated at approximately 140 million ariary. At the time of the disaster, the family owning the business was in Manjakandriana attending a famadihana (exhumation ceremony).
For this family of five, ten years of hard work and savings went up in smoke. The sawmill and its equipment, valued at some 70 million ariary, were completely destroyed. Two vehicles, a 3.5-ton truck and a Starex, with an estimated value of 40 million ariary, were also incinerated.
“Even the school supplies we had just bought for the children were destroyed,” lamented the family, who stated they were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
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 evaluated at nearly 10 million ariary. Roofs, doors, and personal belongings were notably damaged. In total, about thirty households were affected by the disaster.
Alerted around 1 a.m., firefighters from Tsaralalàna, Andravoahangy, and Analamahitsy, with the support of the gendarmerie and local residents, intervened to control the flames. Jirama also dispatched a team to cut the electricity and limit the risks associated with the disaster.
No injuries were reported. The Rafinaritra family, owners of the sawmill, apologized to the neighbors and customers whose orders were destroyed.
The origin of the fire remains undetermined for the time being, according to the gendarmerie. Employees present on-site indicated they discovered the flames while they were sleeping before raising the alarm.
For this family, the toll is heavy: in a few hours, ten years of work were reduced to ashes.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-08 06:08:47 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/soamanandrariny-les-flammes-devorent.html