Property goes up in smoke

believed to have been started by children playing with matches.
The house in Budiriro 4B’s Tabudirira Co-operative section caught fire destroying refrigerators, television sets, stoves, computers and cash.
No one was injured in the incident.
The fire reportedly started around 1pm.
Children who were looking for a bag allegedly lit a matchstick, which they then tossed to the curtain resulting in the six-roomed house being razed down in the inferno.
According to eyewitnesses, fire tenders arrived two hours after the fire had started.
When The Herald crew arrived yesterday at midday the house was still smouldering.
Owners of the house were said to be at a family meeting and some relatives could be seen milling around the yard.
A maid at the residence, Chengeto Zvemisha said it all started when she was outside the house doing some laundry.
“I was washing some clothes outside when the two children were in the house looking for their bag.
“There was no electricity and they lit a matchstick which they later tossed at the curtains.
“I then saw smoke coming from the house and in my state of confusion I called for help and neighbours came to assist in putting off the flames.
“We used borehole water and soil since we get tap water only in the middle of the night,” said Chengeto.
A neighbour, Mrs Chipfere, said the fire brigade arrived with two fire tenders but offered no help.
“We called the fire brigade a few minutes after 1pm when we were busy putting out the flames with soil.
“To our shock they arrived at around 3pm, two hours after our call.
“They only arrived here to ask questions as to how the fire started.
“Their two fire tenders were parked at both sides of the house and we thought they were going to do something,” she said.
A family member who preferred anonymity said: “We were at a funeral in Mutare when we received a call that the house was in flames. The only property we managed to recover were two couches, a room divider and some clothes.
“All television sets, computers, cash, refrigerators and stoves that were recently imported were destroyed,” she said.
Harare Chief Fire Officer Mr Sevias Mugavha yesterday could neither deny nor confirm the actions by his firemen.
“It is my first time to hear about the incident since there is a long chain of command as to how I get proper information.
“It is impossible for a fire engine to leave our fire stations without water.
“The water could have run out in the process of extinguishing the flames.
“I will give you a better comment once I get a report,” he said.
Fire has become a serious challenge in both homes and industry.
“Recently the city officials admitted that Harare’s capacity to deal with infernos was greatly compromised because of equipment challenges.
Several fire tenders are grounded and are in need of spare parts.
A lot of fire fighting equipment has also gone for years without service.