Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
PANIC and fear gripped Bulawayo’s city centre as thick black smoke poured out of a burning flat, drawing a crowd of helpless onlookers. But while many stood frozen in shock, one woman ran straight into danger.
For 30-year-old Portia Ncube, there was no time to think twice. Inside the smoke-filled apartment were her nine month old baby and her younger sister, Letwin Mushoriwa (18). Just moments earlier, she had received a terrifying phone call at work. Her sister was on the line — their home was on fire.
Without stopping to think, Ncube left everything behind and rushed to find transport. With her heart racing, she jumped into a taxi and headed for the flat along Lobengula Street, between Fourth and Fifth Avenue.
When she arrived, the situation was worse than she had imagined. Thick smoke was pouring from the windows and flames had already taken hold of the building. A crowd had gathered below, watching in horror.
Neighbours pleaded with her to stay back, but she refused.
“I had to climb the fire escape stairs of the next-door flat to get to the second floor. I smashed a window, entered the room, and dashed to the door before running to the main fire escape to reach the balcony. I could hear the screams of my child and younger sister from the bedroom. I had previously told my sister to seek refuge in the bedroom because the fire had engulfed the kitchen,” she told Saturday Chronicle in an interview.
Acting on instinct, Ncube forced her way through a bedroom window with her bare hands. Inside, smoke had filled the room almost completely.
Her younger sister stood by the window, holding the baby tightly as the fire spread around them.
“The room was filled with smoke, and my sister was standing beside the window clutching the baby. I smashed the glass, and she handed the child to me before I pulled her out too. The baby escaped unhurt, but my sister injured her hand while I was pulling her through the window. That is how I managed to save the lives of my child and my sister,” she said.
The dramatic rescue brought relief to dozens of onlookers, many of whom had feared the worst.
An ambulance quickly took the three to Mpilo Central Hospital. Mushoriwa was treated and discharged the same day, while the baby remains admitted for further care.
Despite her brave rescue, Ncube returned to devastating loss. Everything she owned was destroyed in the fire.
“The fire brigade delayed in arriving, and as a result, all of our property — including sofas, kitchen utensils, clothes, and the bed — was destroyed. However, I thank Almighty God for giving me the courage to save those two lives,” she said.
Those wishing to assist the family can contact Ncube on +263 77 757 4619.
The blaze caused major damage to three buildings, including Sai Mart supermarket, a butchery and a Chinese-owned shop selling clothing, kitchenware and footwear.
A video taken by a passer-by captured the intensity of the fire and the moment Ncube rushed forward, breaking a window to rescue her loved ones from the choking smoke.
Firefighters eventually managed to bring the blaze under control before it could spread to nearby buildings.
“We managed to stop the fire before it spread to two buildings on the left and right of where preliminary investigations indicate it started from. There is a corner at the rear of the middle building where there is extensive damage where all indications show that fire emanated from there but will know the exact cause of the blaze when our investigations are complete. Three people were taken to hospital after they managed to escape the fire and no serious injuries or fatalities were recorded,” said Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo.
Moyo, however, expressed concern over delays in reporting fires, saying this can make situations much worse.
“Every second counts when a fire breaks out and it’s unfortunate that we received the call way after this Lobengula Street fire had started.
In fact, the call came from a senior Government official yet residents or employees at the affected businesses could have called us immediately after they noticed that a fire had started. Every building owner, business owner and employees must know which number to call when a fire breaks out so that the fire brigade can respond quickly to save lives and property,” he said.
The fire caused chaos in the city centre and temporarily disrupted business activity.
Yet, in the middle of the confusion and destruction, one story stood out — that of a mother who risked everything to save the people she loves most.
