Online Reporter
Nelson Nhlalo Masukume, Chronicle Correspondent
A mysterious fire broke out at Ziga Primary School located about 82km north of Tsholotsho District in Matabeleland North under Chief Mathuphula, leaving behind a trail of destruction to property worth over $1 200.
According to witnesses, the incident happened last week and a female teacher was at the school cottages when a bolt of lightning suddenly struck. Miss Hazel Masuku, a female teacher who was sleeping when the fire broke out escaped death by a whisker.
Scores of dumbfounded villagers including Schools Development Committee (SDC) members who rushed to the scene found the teacher and village head Mr Andrew Ncube struggling to redeem some belongings but could not salvage much as the fire had already consumed much of the property.
It is not clear how the fire started but witnesses strongly suspect that it could have been caused by a lightning bolt.
“I stay near the school. I rushed to rescue the teacher when I heard screams and saw smoke of flames coming from the school building. We only managed to remove some few belongings,” said the visibly shaken village head.
The female teacher who was in the chalet when the mysterious inferno struck was deeply shaken as she counted her losses.
“I was inside when I heard a strange sound as the rain was building up. I went outside to check and I saw a cloud of multi-colored fire flames on the roof of the chalet.
“As I screamed for help, Mr Ncube the village head arrived and we started pulling out some few belongings. l lost all my clothes, food and blankets,” said Miss Masuku.
Contacted for comment the head of the school, Mr Philani Masuku, confirmed the incident.
“There was a strange fire in our school. A lot of property was destroyed by the fire that destroyed the chalet. As I speak I’m working on a report to appraise the district authorities about the incident,” he said.
