A FIRE tore through a cabin at Lone Mine 50 compound in Makwe, Gwanda, last week, claiming the lives of three people.
According to the police, the fire incident occurred on March 19 this year.
“The victims were burnt beyond recognition and their bodies were taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem. Investigations are in progress to establish the cause of fire,” national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said in a statement.
Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube said people from neighbouring cabins noticed the fire and tried to open the door, but they failed because it was locked from inside resulting in the death of the occupants.
She identified the deceased as Believe Zhou (32), Bester Ndakura (30) and Blessing Zhou (3) all of Mberengwa in the Midlands province.
“On March 19 at 8pm, Getrude Nyoni visited her friend Bester Ndakura at Lone Mine 50 Compound, Makwe, Gwanda,” Dube said.
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“Nyoni decided to return to her cabin to sleep and left Bester with plans to bake scones. Bester was with her husband Believe Zhou and her son Blessing Zhou.
“At around 10pm, Nyoni was awakened by a blaze of fire and she went outside to check where the fire was coming from. She discovered that Bester’s cabin was on fire.
“Nyoni quickly alerted other mine workers who tried to force open the cabin, but they failed since the cabin was locked from inside. Fire completely gutted the cabin while the trio was inside.”
Dube said the matter was reported to the police and they attended the scene. The police found gas tanks among the debris.
“They also discovered charred remains of the three deceased which were burnt beyond recognition. The remains were taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital Mortuary. The matter is under investigations,” she said.