Walter Nyamukondiwa-Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
Police have recovered the body of a seven-year-old boy who was burnt beyond recognition in a house fire in Orange Groove suburb, Chinhoyi, with investigations underway to establish the cause of the inferno.
Michael Chipangura died on October 17 after being trapped in a bedroom where he was sleeping with four cousins.
The other children escaped from the burning room, while attempts by adults to extinguish the fire using water failed to save him.
Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kohwera confirmed the recovery of the boy’s body, saying forensic experts had attended the scene as investigations continued.
“The deceased and his four cousins were asleep in their room when they were awakened by a fire which had started in the room. The other four cousins managed to escape, but Michael was trapped in the inferno,” he said.
The body was taken to Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Inspector Kohwera urged parents, guardians and the public to strengthen safety measures at homes and workplaces to prevent similar tragedies.
