A Karowe man was burnt to death on Saturday in a fire suspected to have been caused by a petrol explosion as underground fuel dealings in Chikangwe and Chidza suburbs of the town continue unabated.
Despite receiving a high-quality, state-of-the-art fire tender from the government recently, the council’s response team failed to tackle the fire on time which occurred at a house in the densely populated suburb of Chikangwe where a Takodzwa Murumba lost his life.
Another victim was taken to Karowe Hospital before being transferred to Harare where he was said yesterday to be in a critical but stable condition.
Last year, another illegal fuel trader lost his life in Chikangwe town after a petrol barrel exploded inside a house, seriously injuring two.
Zimbabwe National Organization of Residents’ Associations (ZNOART) Provincial Chairman, Mr Liberty Chitia, said it was alarming that people in the town were still losing their lives and properties to the fires.
“What worries us as residents is the failure of Karowe City Council and ZERA to eliminate all illegal fuel activities within residential areas as this is the second fire to happen in recent days in Karowe and Chikangwe specifically. There has been no response from the fire department,” he said. affiliated with the Council, although they obtained a modern fire truck in December last year.”
He said the fire department’s non-response showed a profound lack of commitment to duty by CCC-led council staff.
However, Karowe Mayor, Kodakwashi Chigomo, downplayed the allegations saying the fire call was relayed late resulting in delayed response by the fire brigade after the truck suffered a battery failure.
There were also widespread rumors of alleged workers who were at lowest morale due to lack of salaries and victimization which allegedly led to the resignation of a housing official with residents challenging the local government and the Ministry of Public Works to look into the alleged issues. Announce
