Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
AN expectant mother lost everything she had prepared for her unborn child, a grandmother escaped with her three-year-old granddaughter moments before a series of explosions and a family is now preparing for a burial after a devastating fire tore through a house in Bulawayo’s Emakhandeni suburb.
What started as a house fire on Saturday has left seven people homeless and plunged one family into mourning following the death of a young tenant who was deeply affected by the tragedy.
The rented house, painted in blue and white, now stands as a shell of its former self. A JoJo water tank with a gaping hole melted into its side bears testimony to the intensity of the blaze. The smell of burnt wood hangs in the air, while charred floorboards, soot-covered walls and twisted roofing sheets tell the story of destruction.
Among the debris, a gas cylinder cooking top remains wedged between a wall and the corrugated iron roof, evidence of the powerful explosions that rocked the property.
Bulawayo chief fire officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo said preliminary investigations indicate that the fire started after a solar lithium battery was overcharged while being charged in one of the rooms.
“The fire started in this room. A solar lithium battery was being charged and it got overcharged, exploded and ignited bedroom contents including gas cylinders that were in the rooms,” said Mr Moyo.
“All in all there were four gas cylinders that exploded and this caused the house to be burnt.”
The inferno destroyed identity documents, school certificates, clothing, furniture, food supplies, cash, electrical appliances and business stock, leaving four families with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.
As the victims begin the difficult task of rebuilding their lives, the Government, through the Department of Civil Protection (CPU), chipped in on Tuesday with emergency assistance that included blankets, 100kg of maize meal, soya chunks, kapenta fish, sugar beans, cooking oil, soap, cooking pots and water buckets.
While no one died in the fire itself, tragedy struck shortly afterwards when 23-year-old Mihla Sibanda, who occupied the room where the fire is believed to have started, was found unconscious in a bush between
Emakhandeni and Entumbane suburbs. He later died at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Family members said he had been devastated by the destruction caused by the blaze and the accusations that followed.
His uncle, Mr Justice Sibanda, appealed for compassion.
“I would like to encourage people that when someone is befallen by such a tragedy like Mihla, where he was blamed for burning down the house, we should show compassion. Some people were threatening to beat him up, so I am told,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said he was in Tsholotsho when he received news of both the fire and his nephew’s disappearance.
“We searched throughout the night. The following morning we received a call that he had been found. Unfortunately, he later died,” he said.
Ms Martha Moyo (63), a tenant said the terrifying ordeal started with a loud explosion while she was sleeping.
“I was asleep in the house and I heard something exploding. I asked one of the girls here who also said she heard the same noise,” she said.
Moments later she discovered flames engulfing one of the rooms.
“Before I knew it there was a second explosion. While waiting for the Fire Brigade, I attempted to get into the house to save my belongings and money, but neighbours stopped me because it was too dangerous,” said Ms Moyo.
“I sat at a distance and watched helplessly as everything went up in smoke. After the fire was extinguished, we realised that everything had been reduced to ashes.”
Her three-year-old granddaughter was with her at the time. Both escaped unharmed.
For Ms Primrose Nokuthaba Ndlovu (25), who is eight months pregnant, the fire could not have come at a worse time.
Only hours before the blaze, she had moved into the house seeking more affordable accommodation.
“I had gone to town to collect money so that I could settle rent arrears at my previous lodgings. When I returned, I found the house had burnt down,” she said.
The fire destroyed baby clothes, personal belongings, business stock and all her identification documents. “The only things left are a bed, shoes and the clothes I am wearing,” she said.
Ms Ndlovu, who survives through selling cosmetics, said she has also not yet registered at a clinic in preparation for the birth of her child because her documents were destroyed.
“I don’t know where the father of my child is. He disappeared months ago and his phone is no longer reachable,” she said.
Now staying with relatives in Lobengula, she appealed for assistance.
“I need baby clothes, clothing for myself, money for transport to register at the clinic and help replacing my identification documents,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mihla’s grandfather, Mr Jabulani Sibanda, said the family was preparing to bury the young man in Tsholotsho on Thursday.
Ward 11 Councillor Susan Sithole commended the swift intervention by Government, the Department of Civil Protection and the Bulawayo City Council.
“The assistance they provided has gone a long way in helping the affected families. However, more support is needed, particularly to repair the damaged house and provide clothing for the victims,” she said.
The Friday Apostolic Church has since donated US$300 towards the purchase of roofing trusses.
One of the first residents to respond to the blaze, Mr Blessings Munkuli, said the community immediately mobilised to help.
“The community came together and donated food, clothes, blankets and other essentials. We are grateful for the support from Government, local leadership and residents,” he said.
Following Mihla’s death, Mr Munkuli appealed for continued support for the bereaved family.
“The family has gone through unimaginable pain. Any assistance from well-wishers will help them rebuild their lives and give their loved one a dignified send-off,” he said.
