David Livingstone gutted by fire

The Presbyterian school is in Ntabazinduna, 40km outside Bulawayo.
Property destroyed included beds, groceries, uniforms and books.

Southern Region Presbyterian Schools co-ordinator Mr Mnqobizwe Mthimkhulu said the fire started in the afternoon and no one was injured.

“I received an alert at 2pm that a Form One dormitory accommodating 52 pupils and their personal belongings had been destroyed by fire. We suspect the fire was caused by an electric power surge after Zesa restored power following load shedding,” said Mr Mthimkhulu.

“The Fire Brigade responded early and stopped the fire from spreading.
“Without them I do not know what would have happened.”

Bulawayo City Council chief fire officer Mr Richard Peterson said the fire had already caused extensive damage by the time they arrived.

“We received an alert at 2.30pm and on arrival a Form One dormitory measuring approximately 22 metres by eight metres had already been burnt down. A total of 25 double bunker beds, two single beds, groceries, uniforms and books were destroyed by the fire,” said Mr Peterson.

He advised schools to follow fire regulations and have fire extinguishers in place, so that they are able to put out fire or at least control it thereby minimising its effects.