Part of the building of the government stores in Ondangwa was destroyed yesterday by fire. Although the exact cause of the fire was unknown, it is believed that the fire started in the NamWater yard behind the government store. Many books and chairs were destroyed, among other government properties. Some officials at the scene claimed that the two properties were overwhelmed by grass and bush which caused the fire to spread fast. Patients in Ondangwa private hospital which is only a stone’s throw from the government stores had to be evacuated for fear that the fire could spread to the hospital, but luckily fire fighters extinguished it before it could reach the hospital. Apart from the burned grass, bushes and palm trees within the yard, no major damage to NamWater properties was reported. Photo: Helvy Shaanika