Online Reporter
Londiwe Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade was on Tuesday called to attend to a fire at a house in Cowdray Park, near Mahlathini Primary, following a suspected arson attack, in an incident that has left residents in shock.
According to fire officials, the property belongs to a senior citizen, Constancia Ndebele.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer, Mr Mhlangano Moyo, confirmed the incident, saying firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it caused extensive damage.
“We responded to a call of a house fire in Cowdray Park. Fortunately, our teams managed to put out the fire in time and there was no extensive damage to the structure,” said Moyo.
He added that preliminary indications suggest the fire may have been started following a mob attack at the residence, although the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.
“Initial indications are that the fire followed a mob attack at the house under unclear circumstances. Investigations are ongoing to establish what exactly transpired,” he said.
Residents in the area reported seeing a group of people gathered at the house shortly before the fire broke out, although details leading up to the incident remain sketchy.
No injuries were reported, and authorities have since urged members of the public to desist from taking the law into their own hands, warning that mob justice often leads to unnecessary destruction and endangers lives.
Police are expected to launch a full investigation into the matter.
