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It is suspected that the fire was caused by an electrical fault. The fire is believed to have started in a room, which was used as a storeroom for new clothes, blankets and foodstuffs.
Twelve children and their “mother” were staying in the house but no one was injured in the inferno.
When The Herald arrived at the scene, more than an hour after the blaze had started, the fire brigade had not yet arrived. The children and neighbours were struggling to rescue the property using a hosepipe.
In an interview, the centre manager, Ms Irene Karadzandima, who was all tears, said the incident was a heavy blow to them.
“Their belongings were burnt and this means we are supposed to start afresh for the whole ‘family’ as they have lost everything they have,” she said. Ms Karadzandima said they were dismayed by the fire fighters’ allegedly slow response. A senior fire fighter at the scene declined to comment, saying they would only do so once their investigations were complete.
A Zesa official who was also present said he could not comment on record but indicated an electrical fault may be to blame.
Ms Karadzandima asked for assistance from the corporate world and the public to house the orphans and buy new clothing for them. “We are now facing a great challenge as this ‘family’ needs a new house urgently. We are approaching the rainy season,” she said.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu