A fire tore through the Lions’ Den shopping centre near Chinhoyi on Sunday afternoon, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The blaze, which is believed to have started within a wholesale outlet, rapidly spread to adjacent businesses, completely gutting them. Local emergency teams faced an immense struggle as a critical water shortage severely hampered their efforts to bring the inferno under control.
Major Fire Destroys Lions’ Den Shopping Centre Near Chinhoyi
The efforts of the Makonde Rural District Council’s fire brigade were thwarted by a lack of water, a critical failure that allowed the flames to spread unchecked. The council’s chairperson, Misheck Nyarubero, confirmed the dire circumstances that the firefighters faced. He stated,
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“Our fire brigade ran out of water. They have gone to Reinfield Farm Dam to collect more water, but they are taking longer than expected.”
In a further blow, additional support from the Chinhoyi fire brigade also proved insufficient. Nyarubero revealed that the fire brigade from Chinhoyi also ran out of water before the fire could be extinguished.
Looters Exploit Chaos as Investigations Begin
Amid the chaos and devastation, the incident was marred by reports of looting. Unscrupulous individuals took advantage of the emergency to steal groceries and electronic gadgets from the affected shops. Meanwhile, authorities have confirmed that, miraculously, no injuries were reported from the incident.
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Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Ian Kohwera, provided an update on the ongoing investigation. He said,
“From preliminary reports, no one was injured and the source of the fire is yet to be established. Investigations are underway.”
The event has sparked significant concern amongst local residents regarding the efficacy of the area’s disaster response capabilities, with many left frustrated by the perceived inadequacies of the emergency services.
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