The cause of the fire is still not known, and a forensic investigation is continuing.

"I was woken up by a call telling me Metro wholesale is on fire, and when I woke up, I saw the fire myself and rushed to the place while phoning the Police and alerted our Fire Brigade as well as the Ongwediva and Oshakati fire brigades to come and assist," the Deputy Mayor of Ondangwa, Letty Tuutaleni, told The Namibian.

Tuutaleni's house is near the ill-fated wholesaler.

She said although all three towns' fire brigades assisted, the fire was too big for them to bring under control and gutted the business complex with all its stock.

"The damage is running in hundred thousands of Namibia dollars, if not in millions," one of the work supervisors said.

The business employs 24 workers, who will now be without jobs for an unknown time.

Ondangwa Metro Cash and Carry supplies groceries to many businesses in the Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions.

"This is really a big setback to many of our businesses that sell foodstuffs and soft drinks," said Ohangwena Governor Usko Nghaamwa.

Local News Headlines Of The Last 48 Hours