IRINGA, July 12 -- AS midnight hours raced on, the voices of people grew more panicked and tearful at the Mashine Tatu Market in Iringa municipality.

A huge fire, which broke out suddenly, erupted like unexpected thunder and consumed the dreams and hopes of hundreds of entrepreneurs in the town.

In the darkness around two oclock in the morning, a cloud of smoke began to rise into the Iringa sky, announcing the disaster that was unfolding.

Seconds turned into pain, minutes into wailing, and hours into a sorrowful history that will not be forgotten anytime soon by the residents of this highland town.

The fire attacked the eastern side of the market and spread rapidly, burning stalls that were made of wood and worn-out iron sheets—...