A 54-year-old Mutare father lost his life after returning to his burning home. Gift Chimbidzai feared one of his daughters remained trapped inside.
The tragedy unfolded early Tuesday at his rented home in St Joseph’s Park, Chikanga 3.
Chimbidzai had managed to evacuate his wife and four children with help from neighbours. However, confusion during the emergency made him believe one child was still inside.
Without hesitation, he rushed back into the burning seven-roomed house. Unfortunately, the flames spread rapidly, and the roof eventually collapsed.
The falling roof trapped Chimbidzai inside, leaving him unable to escape the inferno.
Neighbours describe desperate rescue efforts
Nessia Taziva, among the first neighbours to respond, recalled hearing windows breaking around 2 am.
“My husband and I woke up around 2 am after hearing windows shattering. When we looked outside, we saw our neighbour’s house engulfed in flames and rushed to help,” she said.
Taziva explained that Chimbidzai had already helped his children escape. However, residents continued searching for ways to rescue everyone.
“We tried everything we could. Chimbidzai had already helped bring the children out of the house.
“Some neighbours even knocked down part of a wall so that the last child and Chimbidzai could escape.
“Unfortunately, the fire became too intense and the roof collapsed before he could come out. He died trying to save his family. He was a hero.”
Another neighbour said Chimbidzai’s wife, Monica, first noticed the fire. She reportedly woke up to discover flames spreading across the roof.
Family members and residents then worked together to evacuate the children. They used the kitchen door as the fire rapidly consumed the property.
The neighbour said Chimbidzai genuinely believed his daughter remained trapped.
“Chimbidzai went back into the house because he genuinely believed one of his daughters was still trapped inside. In the confusion and panic, he thought she had not made it out,” the neighbour said.
“He was not trying to save property. He was trying to save his child. Sadly, the fire had become too intense and he was overcome by the flames.”
Residents also demolished part of a bedroom wall during their desperate rescue attempts. However, nobody managed to save Chimbidzai.
The fire completely destroyed the house and everything inside. The family lost all its belongings in the devastating incident.
Fire brigade defends response as residents demand answers
Meanwhile, the tragedy sparked questions about the emergency response. Some residents accused the City of Mutare Fire Brigade of arriving late.
They also criticised the fire tender’s repeated trips to replenish its water supply.
Taziva claimed residents contacted firefighters several times before their arrival.
“We called the Fire Brigade seven or eight times. We even asked if we could use a hosepipe before firefighters arrived, but were told it would not help,” said Taziva.
She added that the community became frustrated when the fire tender repeatedly returned for water.
“People were angry because the fire truck kept going back and forth to collect water. A father has died and the whole community is grieving. More resources should have been deployed.”
However, Lloyd Mujaho, the City of Mutare’s head of Emergency Services, disputed claims of a delayed response.
He said emergency services received the first distress call at 1.55 am. According to Mujaho, firefighters reached the property just 10 minutes later.
“It took us 10 minutes to reach the scene. Given that Chikanga is about seven to eight kilometres from the fire station, we consider that a reasonable response time,” said Mujaho.
Mujaho confirmed that firefighters discovered Chimbidzai inside an en suite bedroom. He said the fire had burnt his body beyond recognition.
The brigade initially dispatched a fire tender carrying 5,000 litres of water. Firefighters subsequently made two trips to Sakubva for additional supplies.
“In total, about 15,000 litres of water were used. The initial 5,000 litres was sufficient to contain the blaze, while the additional water was used during mop-up operations to completely extinguish the fire,” he said.
Mujaho also pointed to the significant fire load inside the property. He explained that combustible materials may have accelerated the fire’s intensity and spread.
Meanwhile, Matthew Mugwanyo, the property owner, reported the incident to police.
The grieving Chimbidzai family declined to comment. They said they were still struggling to come to terms with their devastating loss.
The post Mutare father dies in desperate attempt to rescue daughter from burning house appeared first on iHarare News.
