Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Weekender Reporter
THREE families were left with nothing, but rabbles last Saturday morning after a ferocious blaze tore through a row of wooden cabins in Sakubva, destroying household property worth thousands of United States dollars.
The fire broke out at around 7am on May 23, in the NHB section of Sakubva, reducing the wooden structures to smouldering rubble within minutes.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said investigations are under way.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka revealed that one of the victims, Fanuel Donga (50), of House Number 142, NHB, Sakubva, was bathing in a nearby public bathroom when the fire started, only to return and find his dwelling engulfed.
“Donga was bathing when his neighbour, Peter Magonda, alerted him after noticing smoke coming out of his wooden cabin. The complainant rushed back and discovered that the cabin was already on fire,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
He said the inferno quickly spread to neighbouring cabins occupied by Emma Kafuyameya (34), and Esther Mutasa (26), leaving all the three families counting huge losses.
“The victims failed to contain the fire as the flames spread rapidly from one wooden structure to another,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka, adding that the Mutare Fire Brigade later attended the scene and managed to contain the blaze before it spread further into the densely populated suburb.
“The fire brigade attended the scene, and preliminary indications show that the fire could have been caused by an unattended heating source,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said investigations are in progress, and urged residents to exercise caution when using heating appliances, candles, braziers and unsafe electrical connections, especially in overcrowded residential areas dominated by wooden structures.
“Fires spread quickly in wooden cabins, and can easily destroy property, and endanger lives. Residents should always ensure that heating sources are properly monitored,” he warned.
When The Weekender visited the scene, a sombre mood engulfed the area as victims and neighbours gathered around the charred remains of the wooden cabins.
Thick smoke still lingered in the air, while burnt blankets, twisted metal frames, destroyed utensils and blackened clothing lay scattered across the ground.
Some residents could be seen comforting the affected families, while others searched through the rabbles hoping to recover valuables spared by the inferno.
Donga’s cabin was completely destroyed, with police confirming that cash amounting to R1 800 and US$373, mobile phones and household property were engulfed by the inferno.
Kafuyameya also lost her bed, blankets, clothes, shoes, passport, mobile phones and cash during the blaze.
For Mutasa, only a 3kg gas tank and one 2-in-1 blanket were rescued before the fire consumed the rest of her belongings. The total value of property destroyed was estimated at US$3 415.
Residents who witnessed the terrifying incident described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly from one cabin to another.
Knowledge Mungofa, who stays close to the affected cabins, said the neighbourhood woke up to screams and confusion.
“The fire spread within minutes because these wooden cabins are built very close to each other. People tried to use buckets of water to stop the flames, but the fire was uncontrollable. We were scared that gas tanks inside the rooms would explode,” he said.
Another resident, Tariro Mukombero, said she rushed outside after hearing neighbours screaming for help.
“I heard people shouting that there was a fire, and when I came out, smoke was already covering the area. People tried hard to save their property, but the flames were too powerful. It is heart-breaking because they lost almost everything,” she said, blaming overcrowding and dangerous heating methods commonly used in the area.
“Many people here use gas plate stoves, braziers and unsafe electrical connections because of poverty. One mistake can destroy many homes in just a short space of time because the cabins are close together.
“We are lucky that no one died because this fire could have become much worse,” she said.
Some residents also expressed concern over the increasing number of fire incidents in high-density suburbs during the cold season when many households rely on makeshift heating sources.
“We see these fires almost every cold season as people will be trying to warm themselves using unsafe heating methods. Many families are struggling financially and end up using old electrical connections and candles inside wooden cabins. Authorities need to continue educating people on fire safety before more lives and property are lost,” said Langton Mvere.
