The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sunday News Reporter
ONE person suffered superficial burns and was referred to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) while property worth Z$15 million was lost after a fire erupted at Kenilworth Towers at Ascot Shopping Mall yesterday morning.
Other affected members were hospitalised as a precautionary measure. According to the Bulawayo City Council’s Fire and Ambulance Department, the fire was started by an explosion during a floor polish making effort in one of the rooms on the 14th floor of the 19-storey building.
Within minutes, the fire had lit up the interior of the building and then spread ragingly to another room where it destroyed parts of the building and furniture in the rooms.
According to a preliminary fire/special services investigation report, 50 percent of the damage in the kitchen was caused by fire while 20 percent in the lounge was caused by smoke. The fire department estimated the value of property in the flat to be Z$60 000 000 while the estimated loss was put at Z$15 000 000 and the estimated cost of property saved was at Z$45 000 000.
The fire began “in or around” a room in flat 1401 on the 14th floor, according to a preliminary special services investigation report released by Chief Fire Officer Mr Lynos Phiri.
The report revealed that when his department got the emergency call from a Mrs Rae which was logged in at 6.29am, six minutes later, they were on the scene and took a further 15 minutes to rescue the three people who were in the flat and those who were in the next-door flat who were also at risk and put out the fire.
Sunday News was at the scene and observed flames and smoke billowing through the windows on the 14th floor while the corridor was smoke logged. On arrival, the fire fighters found a woman on ground floor with burns to the legs while three others were reported to be in flat 1401.
The Chief Fire Officer said he was happy with the reaction time of his department as it enabled them to get ahead of the fire before it spread and became more difficult to contain.
“It took us six minutes to get to the scene of the fire and another 15 to rescue occupants and douse the fire. This was a very good reaction time and this saved a lot of lives and property because we managed to get it under control before it spread,” said Chief Fire Officer Phiri. – @RealSimbaJemwa
