Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
Property worth an estimated US$500,000 was gutted by fire today in Bulawayo’s leafy Burnside suburb, with the city’s fire brigade saying the blaze resulted from illegal and uncontrolled burning.
The owners of the house are said to be on holiday in Switzerland.
According to Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo, the fire started at stand number 244 Arnold Way, where occupants were clearing thickets in preparation for construction, but the flames quickly got out of control.
A distress call was made to the fire brigade just after 11 AM, and 35 firefighters and seven fire tenders were deployed to the scene.
The crew battled the inferno for more than three hours, but extensive damage was still done. Household property and a car that was parked in the garage were completely destroyed.
The area is in Ward Four, Bulawayo’s red zone for fire incidents. In 2023, a fire tender was completely destroyed while attending to a fire in the same area.
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