Vusumuzi DubeRutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
A 10-roomed residential house in Bulawayo’s Khumalo suburb was reduced to shells with property estimated to be worth more than ZiG6 million lost when a fire caused by an explosion from a leaking gas cylinder broke out on Tuesday morning.
One Miss Muzamba (40) who works as a maid was injured and sustained third-degree burns and was admitted to a local hospital.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo confirmed the incident in a preliminary fire investigation report.
“Fire involving a ten-roomed private residential house built of bricks under corrugated zinc iron sheets and Q tiles on wooden ceiling, with wooden floors, measuring approximately 28 metres by 20 metres was found well alight with part of the roof collapsed.
“On arrival (Fire brigade), the degree or intensity of fire was spreading through the ceiling with smoke issuing from the roof of the whole house; roof covering bedrooms and the kitchen had already curved in,” said Mr Moyo.
He said the fire was found concentrated in seven rooms spreading through the ceiling and there were two by 9 kilogrammes’ liquid petroleum gas cylinders used to power the gas stove inside the kitchen.
“The cylinders accelerated rate of fire spread, cylinder exploded causing extreme damage to the walls and roof of the house. Household contents were severely damaged by fire, comprising of clothing, fitted wardrobe, mattresses, fridges kitchen utensils amongst other things.
“Occupants and neighbours tried to salvage household property while one female adult aged 40 years Miss S Muzamba who is a maid was injured and sustained third-degree burns. She was conveyed to hospital by a private motor vehicle prior to the arrival of the Brigade,” said Mr Moyo.
He said three rooms of the house were saved by the brigade that is the dining, sitting room and small bedroom.
The estimated value of the property is ZiG9 million and the estimated loss is ZiG6 million with the estimated value saved being ZiG3 million.
He encouraged the community must try and teach their maids on how to handle gas stoves and solar systems as of late it is giving them a challenge with the injured maid in this incident coming straight from the rural area and needed to be taught on handling such dangerous equipment.
Sources close to the relatives revealed to this news crew that the family has been left stranded and is currently staying in a lodge in the city
Online Reporter