HARARE, Aug. 17 (NewsDay Live) -A Grade Four learner at Shiriyedenga Primary School in Glen Norah A died on Sunday morning after sustaining severe burns when a gas tank burst and sparked a fire at her family home on Saturday evening.
The incident occurred around 7pm while the deceased, identified as Ashley, was inside the family’s two-roomed house with her sibling, while their mother and other people were outside.
According to members of the community, the fire started from the gas tank in one of the rooms, prompting the other child to flee the house.
However, Ashley reportedly ran into the bedroom in fear as the fire spread through the house.
Efforts by neighbours and other community members to rescue her were initially unsuccessful as the only access to the bedroom was through the room where the fire had started.
The fire engulfed the house as community members searched for tools to break through the bedroom wall and reach the trapped child.
After about 15 to 20 minutes, they managed to break through the wall and pull Ashley from the burning room, but she had already sustained serious burns.
A community member, Tatenda Katsiga, who witnessed the incident, said he rushed to the scene after hearing people shouting that a fire had broken out.
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"We rushed to the scene and the first room had caught fire. The mother of the deceased wanted to get into the room, but she was restrained by other people because it was dangerous."
"She wanted to rescue her child. We had to look for tools so we could break the wall of the bedroom and rescue her. After some time, we broke the wall and took her out,"
Well-wishers rushed the child to a medical facility in Glen Norah, where she was reportedly referred to Sally Mugabe Central Hospital. She died on Sunday morning while receiving medical attention.
The fire destroyed both rooms, with the family losing all their belongings, including important documents.
The deceased’s uncle, Tererai Mubaiwa, said he was away when the fire broke out and only returned after receiving news of the disaster.
"I was not at home when the fire broke out. I received a call that a disaster had occurred. By the time I got home, the house was in ashes," Mubaiwa said.
"Right now, we are preparing documents. Everything, from birth certificates and other important documents, was burnt to ashes. We are working on getting the burial order and are waiting to bury the victim in the rural area."
