Chronicle Editor
Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
PROPERTY worth thousands of dollars was reduced to ashes when a house caught fire in Bulawayo’s Emganwini suburb.
Property in one of the bedrooms, which had gas cylinders, was totally destroyed.
The fire occurred at around 7PM on Saturday.
The owner of the house, Ms Thandeka Dube, said they were still clueless about what caused the fire.
“We are still in shock and the fire brigade is still trying to determine what started the fire. Only women stay in this house and no one smokes,” said Mrs Dube.
“My mother in-law who had just arrived from her rural home and was from taking a bath, saw the fire first when she got into the bedroom to change. She lost $450 and all her clothes. Everything that was in the bedroom is gone.”
Bulawayo chief fire officer Richard Peterson yesterday said the family delayed in calling the fire brigade while they concentrated on saving furniture.
He urged residents to immediately notify the fire brigade when a fire breaks out.
“A lot of damage occurs during the period when people will be deciding how to put it out. The first action to take is to phone the fire brigade, close all other doors to confine the fire in one room and then try to put it out, if possible,” he said.
Mr Peterson said investigations into the cause of the fire were still underway.
He reminded residents put the 09 code before dialling the 71717-9 emergency numbers on their cellphones.
Mr Peterson said residents could call 993 or 994 toll free from landlines.
@winnie_masara
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter