Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
A local stock feed manufacturing company suffered extensive damage and the loss of valuable property yesterday after sparks from a welding machine ignited a raging fire at a factory complex in Bulawayo.
Hundreds of hay bales, highly flammable dry grass, were reduced to ashes, while a truck and trailer were burnt to shells.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade responded swiftly to the scene after 3pm, managing to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings or sparking a veld fire.
“We received a report about the fire at 3pm, and fire engines from our West Commonage Fire Station, which is the closest to the scene, responded swiftly to find a large number of hay bales ablaze,” said Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer, Mr Mhlangano Moyo.
“Preliminary indications are that sparks from a welding machine caused the fire. In total, we dispatched five fire engines and a 10,000-litre water bowser to contain the blaze, which unfortunately destroyed a truck, trailer and numerous hay bales.
“The sheer quantity of hay bales present made extinguishing the fire very difficult. For additional water sources, we had to cut off supplies to surrounding industries and use nearby hydrants to fight the fire.”
When a Zimpapers news crew arrived at the scene, hundreds of hay bales had already been reduced to rubble.
Firefighters were battling to extinguish the burning truck and trailer while working to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Mr Moyo expressed concern that, instead of calling the emergency services, a company representative drove from the scene to Famona Fire Station to report the incident in person.
“The biggest challenge the Fire Brigade still faces is the delay in reporting fires. In this particular case, someone drove all the way to Famona Station to report the incident,” he said.
“Reporting a fire as soon as it breaks out can save property and, more importantly, lives. We urge Bulawayo residents to report fires promptly.”
An employee at the animal feed company where the fire broke out said the truck that was destroyed had arrived to collect hay bales.
“Two men using the truck were trying to weld something underneath it when the fire started. We tried using fire extinguishers, but the flames spread rapidly from one hay bale to another. Eventually, we all had to flee as the fire got bigger and bigger,” said the employee.
