Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
PROPERTY worth thousands of dollars was destroyed on Wednesday afternoon at First Class High School, in Fern Valley, when a suspected veld fire swept through the institution and razed 16 thatched chalets.
The fire destroyed 16 chalets, which housed Advanced Level boys, and burnt their belongings.
There were no injuries as the fire broke out, while learners were attending lessons.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said the property, which is rented by the school, housed 30 learners and three staff members. Property belonging to 24 learners was destroyed.
“On September 23, 2026 at around 1pm, at Number 181 Leek Close, Fern Valley, Mr Weston Tsorai, a caretaker at the school heard strange sound, and upon checking where it was coming from, he saw fire blazing beyond the boundary wall and spreading towards the thatched chalets. The chalets caught fire and he tried to put out the blaze, but failed. He informed the deputy head, Mr Josphat Mwatutsa, who called the fire brigade, which attended the scene, but the fire had already engulfed the chalets.
“The incident might have been caused by veld fires from a nearby mountain. 30 school children and three staff members were accommodated at the chalets, and property belonging to 24 learners was destroyed as six managed to remove their property. The school authority managed to buy blankets, bedding sheets and school uniforms for the affected children. The value of the destroyed property is yet to be ascertained. Investigations are in progress,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
In a notice to parents, the school said it has secured alternative accommodation for the affected learners and provided them with necessities to avoid disruption of learning.
“This is to inform you that there was a fire outbreak at Mr Maruni’s chalets (where our Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth boys are housed) caused by a veld fire that spread from nearby bushes due to strong winds. We want to assure you that all learners and staff are safe. All the boys were at school when the incident occurred.
“However, they lost their belongings in the fire. The school has already organised alternative accommodation, linen, toiletries and uniforms for them. We will keep you updated on further developments. Thank you for your understanding and support,” said the school.
In an interview, Mr Tsorai said the fire started from the nearby mountain, and was vicious as it was being aided by the windy conditions that were prevailing at the time.
“I was asleep and woke up to see flames approaching the school yard. I rushed to the chalets and discovered that one had already caught fire. I tried to put the fire out, but failed. As I was removing some learners’ belongings from one chalet, the fire spread to others. Within 20 minutes, 16 chalets were on fire. Property such as laptops, books, clothes, uniforms and food stuffs, among others, was destroyed,” said Mr Tsorai.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) provincial education and publicity manager, Mrs Alice Rutsvara, said as at September 3, about 8 700 hectares had been destroyed by veld fires.
“Since the beginning of the fire season, Manicaland has recorded 8 738 hectares destroyed by veld fires. The Agency launched the national fire week, aimed at raising awareness on fire management. Fire awareness campaigns are being held regularly to encourage farmers to prepare fire guards. We are utilising local media to raise awareness. We have served a number of fire orders to farmers reminding them to put fire pre-suppression measures in place,” said Mrs Rutsvara.
