A MAN and his two children were burnt to ashes after a hut
they were sleeping in caught fire at Woolendale plot in Umguza on the outskirts
of Bulawayo.
The incident occurred on Friday night at about 11PM and it
is not clear what caused the fire.
Mr Ranganai Moyo (30), his daughter (3) son (1) were burnt
beyond recognition in the inferno.
The disaster occurred while Mr Moyo’s wife Ms Privilege
Chikomo had gone to pray at a shrine (Masowe).
A Chronicle news crew visited the homestead yesterday and a
family friend Mr Khumbulani Dube narrated how he discovered the disaster.
Mr Dube and Mr Moyo’s family lived at the same homestead. Ms
Chikomo was not at the homestead when the news crew arrived.
Mr Dube said he was awaken by a loud explosion. “I jumped
out of bed and rushed to the window. I discovered that my friend’s hut was on
fire. There was thick smoke. I couldn’t do anything. I rushed to call
neighbours and they came but we all watched helplessly as the roof collapsed,”
said Mr Dube.
He said he was so frightened by the incident that he had to
seek refuge at his sister’s home in the same village.
“I only returned the following morning after I had reported
the incident to the police who came to investigate the matter. The police and
fire brigade team came to investigate and took the charred remains of Mr Moyo
and his two children aged three and one,” said Mr Dube.
He said the incident has traumatised him as Mr Moyo was
like a brother to him.
“We were not related but I called him my brother because of
the way we lived harmoniously together. I can’t say he had a problem with his
family because they lived peacefully. I really don’t understand what happened,”
he said.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango
said police were investigating the matter.
“We’re investigating a fire case where three people died. I
can’t reveal much at the moment as investigations are still in progress,” said
Insp Simango.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Peterson said the
incident was considered as a late fire call as they only received information
about the inferno on Saturday. Chronicle
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