A WOMAN was yesterday rushed to hospital after inhaling
smoke while scores were evacuated from the 24-storey National Railways of
Zimbabwe’s Parkade Centre in Bulawayo’s city centre following a fire incident.
A preliminary report shows the fire that broke out around
4PM on the 5th floor that is occupied by Lupane State University, could have
been caused by an electric fault.
The fire brigade observed that there was plenty of smoke
although the fire only destroyed two laptops, two cellphones, Z$140 and R20
with a combined value of about US$ 2 000.
The cellphones and laptops were connected to an electrical
adaptor which was tapping power from a power wall outlet which was found at an
“on” position. The building houses NRZ offices, banks and shops.
There was commotion as fire engines sped through the city
to attend to the fire and members of the public shot pictures as the drama
unfolded.
LSU students who resumed studies two weeks ago were among
those who stampeded for the exits in panic.
An employee at the university who spoke on condition of
anonymity said there was an explosion in one of the classrooms.
“There was widespread panic. I’m not sure if someone called
the Fire Brigade or they were alerted by the fire alarm. It was scary and
everything happened so fast,” said the source.
A tenant at the building, Ms Thobekani Mkhwananzi, said
security officers knocked on doors all over the building ordering everyone to
leave.
“We were shocked when guards told us to vacate the building
because there was fire. The message was just close and go out. It was a scary
moment and fire alarms added to the confusion and panic,” she said.
Acting Bulawayo chief fire officer Mr Linos Phiri urged the
public to be cautious when using electrical gadgets.
“It was a small fire and when we got there the fire had
been already put out. Electrical gadgets should not be left unattended over a
long time even a cellphone should be charged under supervision. Over time these
gadgets develop faults like overheating which can cause fire,” said Mr Phiri.
“Electrical sockets are on the wall with curtains hanging
just above meaning an explosion of an electrical gadget can lead to serious
fires. I urge the public to make sure that when they charge electrical gadgets,
they are nearby to monitor them. Some charge cellphones overnight, it poses the
same risk as well,” he said.
LSU marketing and communications director Mr Zwelithini
Dlamini could not get details of the incident as he was in Lupane.
“l am sorry l am not getting any information about the fire
incident. All my contacts have knocked off and they are professing ignorance
about the fire,” said Mr Dlamini.
In 2015 a woman and a technician who was trying to rescue
her from a jammed elevator car plunged to their death from the eighth floor of
the building. The technician from Schindler Lifts had been called to assist the
trapped woman, who was an NRZ employee in the accounts department. —
themkhust_ncube. Chronicle
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