Theseus Mauruki Shambare in Bulawayo
RESIDENTS at a property along Ironbridge Road in Belmont, Bulawayo, are set to be fined after firefighters established that a rubbish and tyre fire which broke out at the premises was deliberately started.
The fire broke out at Number 14 Ironbridge Road yesterday and was reported by neighbouring property owners after it appeared to be getting out of control.
Bulawayo Fire Station Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo said firefighters found a heap of rubbish and tyres on fire when they arrived at the property.
“While we were explaining the importance of these vehicles, there was a fire that broke out at Number 14 Ironbridge Road, Belmont. On arrival, we found it was a heap of rubbish and tyres that were alight,” Mr Moyo said.
Firefighters encountered difficulties accessing the property after the owners allegedly refused to open the gate.
The crew was forced to climb over the perimeter wall to reach the fire and begin firefighting operations.
Mr Moyo said the blaze was brought under control using one jet and one hose.
“Luckily, we had used one jet, one hose to deal with the fire,” he said.
The fire brigade subsequently determined that the burning had been deliberate.
Mr Moyo said such burning was prohibited under Bulawayo City Council bylaws and that those responsible would be fined.
“We noted that it was deliberate burning. According to our bylaws, the City of Bulawayo doesn’t allow such burning. So we are going to fine them for that,” he said.
The incident occurred as journalists were touring Bulawayo Fire Station during a media tour organised by Belarusian company Bison Agro Machinery.
The tour is part of routine checks and servicing of firefighting equipment supplied to Zimbabwe under the Government-to-Government cooperation between Zimbabwe and Belarus.
Bulawayo Fire Station has four of the firefighting machines acquired under the programme, which are already being used in emergency responses.
Two of the machines were deployed to the Ironbridge Road fire.
Mr Moyo said the equipment operated without problems during the response.
“The vehicle, these two vehicles managed to deal with the fire. I am so grateful, the fire engine on its own managed to handle the incident without any issues,” he said.
Bison Agro Machinery director Andrea Kleinov said the fire broke out while the media tour was underway.
“Although it is unfortunate that the fire broke out deliberately, at least the media had the opportunity to see the fire tenders responding to an actual emergency,” he said.
The fire was contained before it could spread to neighbouring properties.
The incident also drew attention to the risks associated with the uncontrolled burning of rubbish and tyres in residential and industrial areas.
The City of Bulawayo prohibits unauthorised burning under its fire safety bylaws, with the fire brigade responsible for responding to fires and enforcing the relevant regulations.
Authorities are expected to follow up on the incident and institute the applicable penalties against those responsible for the illegal burning.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
