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Mashudu Mambo
EXPERIENCING a house fire is a traumatic incident, especially in cases where the fire is a result of arson. A family from Queens Park East suburb in Bulawayo has been left traumatised after an unidentified man used petrol and a mop to set ablaze their house.
The fire reduced their hard-earned possessions worth about US$15 000 to ashes. Charles Phiri is saddened by the incident which could have also cost the lives of his family.
“On Saturday at around 10pm l was on my way home from the shops and l saw the thatched roof of our house ablaze. As l ran towards the house, l saw a young man running towards a silver Honda Fit car. It sped off but l took down the number plate.
I spotted a five-litre container with petrol near the precast wall and fortunately, my wife was awake and we managed to rescue the children and the maid,” he said.
Phiri said all their hard-earned possessions were reduced to ashes.
“My family is distressed by the incident because we were left with nothing besides the clothes that we were wearing. Our property, money, personal, and company documents were reduced to ashes. We did not recover anything because the fire was fierce and the gas tank exploded. The fire brigade came on time but nothing was recovered,” he said.
He said that they were appealing for help from the public.
“We are in a desperate situation, we are running a family business and all our possessions and capital have been destroyed. I am appealing to the public for help as we have lost everything and have nowhere to start from,” he said.
Bulawayo City Council Ward 3 Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu said the family needed help from the community.
“The incident is tragic, the victims were tenants and they lost everything in this fire. We are appealing for assistance to help the family in dealing with this predicament,” he said.
Vice Chairperson of Queens Park East Residents Association Peter Chinjekure said residents were helping the family with clothing and groceries.
“We have been receiving groceries, clothes and blankets from the community and churches since Monday and we hope that the family will get more well-wishers,” he said.
Bulawayo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident and said they had launched a manhunt for the culprit.
“We received a case of arson in Queens Park East suburb and we are currently conducting investigations.
We are appealing to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the accused person to report at any nearest police station. The cause of the fire under the circumstances seems malicious and deliberate,” he said.
Well-wishers can reach out to the family through their contact details which are 0772712480 or 0719712480.
Online Reporter