adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
THE library at Mzingwane High School in Matabeleland South was last Wednesday reduced to ashes after catching fire following a suspected electrical fault.
The fire that engulfed the library could not be put out in time resulting in the books, furniture and other stationery being completely destroyed.
A Chronicle news crew that visited the school after the fire, observed that the roof of the building collapsed as a result of the fire.
The school head Moraka Magaya said the fire started at about 1:30PM. “We don’t know what caused the fire but we saw smoke coming from the roof at 1:30PM.
“We’ve already submitted our report to the ministry,” said Magaya.
He declined to shed more light saying he was not allowed to talk to the press.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Richard Peterson said because of distance from the city to Esigodini they arrived late when the building was already engulfed in flames. “We sent two of our vehicles but when they got there the fire had already consumed the building. The roof was already collapsing. A lot of property was destroyed,” said Peterson.
He said their preliminary investigations indicated that the fire started from the ceiling so it is suspected it could have been caused by an electrical fault.
The burning down of the school’s library is likely to negatively affect pupils especially the public examination classes.
derick.khumalo