Tanzanian police assures beachgoers of safety at Coco Beach despite early morning inferno
Coco Beach
What you need to know:
- A fire had been contained after damaging four kiosks popular with beachgoers, primarily for selling street food and other delicacies
Dar es Salaam. Police on December 25 reassured residents that Christmas celebrations at Coco Beach would proceed as planned, despite a fire that engulfed several kiosks earlier yesterday the morning.
Kinondoni Regional Police Commander (RPC), Mtatiro Kitinkwi, reassured families heading to Coco Beach that their safety was guaranteed.
Speaking with The Citizen, RPC Kitinkwi confirmed that the fire had damaged four kiosks owned by 12 small-scale traders.
These kiosks, popular with beachgoers, primarily sell fast food and street delicacies such as chips, fish and other snacks. Though the fire caused significant damage, it did not spread to nearby areas, thanks to the swift action of witnesses and emergency responders.
"There was an explosion, followed by flames erupting inside the kiosks. Thanks to the vigilance of witnesses who promptly alerted the fire department and police, we were able to respond swiftly," said RPC Kitinkwi.
"We worked with the community to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to other kiosks, minimising further damage."
While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, RPC Kitinkwi assured that authorities are actively working to determine what triggered the blaze.
"The investigation is ongoing. We are working to determine the exact cause, and the value of the destroyed items is still being assessed," he added.
Despite the morning’s incident, RPC Kitinkwi emphasised that security in the area remains stable.
"We’ve increased patrols and are taking steps to ensure there are no criminal threats. The public can continue to celebrate the holiday season in peace and safety," he said.
As visitors flock to the beach for Christmas festivities, RPC Kitinkwi also reminded parents to be cautious when bringing children to the area.
"This is a busy place, especially during the holidays. I urge parents not to leave children unattended, particularly near the water. A child left unsupervised is at risk of drowning," he warned.
