Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
A 54-YEAR-OLD father of four died a hero’s death after he became trapped in a raging house fire in St Joseph’s Park, Chikanga, in the early hours of Tuesday, while attempting to rescue a daughter he believed was still inside the burning home.
The late Gift Chimbidzai had already helped evacuate his wife and four children from their seven-roomed rented house in Chikanga 3, with assistance from neighbours, when he reportedly rushed back into the flames after fearing that one of his daughters remained trapped inside.
Moments later, the blaze intensified and the roof collapsed, trapping him inside. He succumbed to the inferno.
His death has left his family traumatised, and plunged the neighbourhood into mourning.
Residents who joined efforts to rescue the family also expressed concern over what they perceived as a delayed response by the City of Mutare Fire Brigade, as well as challenges in accessing sufficient water to contain the fire.
When The Manica Post visited the scene on Tuesday morning, relatives, neighbours and other residents had gathered outside the charred remains of the house awaiting the removal of Chimbidzai’s body.
Emotions were running high, with some residents accusing authorities of failing the family.
A few were so distraught that they threatened to confront journalists, arguing that it was insensitive to seek interviews so soon after the tragedy.
One of the first people to respond to the emergency, Mrs Nessia Taziva, said: “My husband and I woke up around 2am after hearing windows shattering. When we looked outside, we saw our neighbour’s house engulfed in flames and rushed to help.
“We tried everything we could. Chimbidzai had already managed to help bring the children out of the house. Some neighbours even knocked down part of a wall so that the last child and Chimbidzai could escape. Unfortunately, the fire became too intense and the roof collapsed before he could come out. He died trying to save his family. He was a hero.”
Mrs Taziva said residents became increasingly frustrated as the fire tender repeatedly left the scene to replenish its water supply while the blaze was still raging.
“We called the Fire Brigade seven or eight times. We even asked if we could use a hosepipe before firefighters arrived, but were told it would not help.
“People were angry because the fire truck kept going back and forth to collect water. A father has died and the whole community is grieving. More resources should have been deployed,” she said.
Another neighbour, who requested anonymity, said Chimbidzai’s wife, Monica, awoke to flames spreading through the roof before alerting her husband and seeking help from neighbours.
The neighbour said family members and residents worked together to evacuate the children through the kitchen door as the fire spread rapidly.
“Chimbidzai went back into the house because he genuinely believed one of his daughters was still trapped inside. In the confusion and panic, he thought she had not made it out.
“He was not trying to save property. He was trying to save his child. Sadly, the fire had become too intense, and he was overcome by the flames. We managed to break through part of a bedroom wall to rescue one of the children,” said the neighbour.
Nothing was salvaged from the property, which was completely destroyed by the blaze.
The owner of the house, Mr Matthew Mugwanyo, reported the incident to the police.
City of Mutare head of Emergency Services, Mr Lloyd Mujaho, said firefighters found Chimbidzai trapped in a bedroom en-suite. His body was burnt beyond recognition.
Mr Mujaho disputed claims that firefighters took more than an hour to respond, saying the first distress call was received at 1.55am, and a fire tender arrived on the scene at 2.05am.
“It took us 10 minutes to reach the scene. Given that Chikanga is about seven to eight kilometres from the fire station, we consider that a reasonable response time,” he said.
Mr Mujaho said firefighters deployed a tender carrying 5 000 litres of water and later made two return trips to Sakubva to replenish supplies.
“In total, about 15 000 litres of water were used. The initial 5 000 litres was sufficient to contain the blaze, while the additional water was used during mop-up operations to completely extinguish the fire,” he said.
While investigations into the cause of the fire are continuing, Mr Mujaho said firefighters observed a significant fire load inside the house, referring to the large quantity of combustible materials that may have contributed to the intensity and rapid spread of the blaze.
The Chimbidzai family declined to comment, saying they were still coming to terms with their loss.
