Fire hazards : a winter recurring pattern

Melissa Chekwa

A man from Nketa in Bulawayo was lampooned and called all sorts of names after he “abandoned” his family and opted to save a vehicle from an inferno that gutted his home resulting in the death of two minor children. 

The incident took place in Bulawayo in 2017.

Public sentiment was that he should have prioritised his wife — who sustained serious burns — and children instead of trying to save a vehicle. 

The fire had been caused by a gas tank that exploded and set alight containers with fuel that were kept at the house. 

With winter season in full swing, the Bulawayo Fire Brigade is warning residents to be extra vigilant with fires, which are usually for keeping households warm as the cold blitz hits the city.

Last year, the local fire authority recorded 51 incidents of in-house fires that claimed the lives of two people and injured scores of others. 

Just this winter alone 10 incidents have been recorded, with two elderly people losing their lives. 

Chief fire officer Edward Mpofu urged residents to exercise caution by taking simple precautions like keeping fire igniters such as matchsticks out of the reach of children. 

Keeping fuel at home is extremely dangerous, according to the Fire Brigade boss. 

“Despite the fuel shortages that the country is experiencing it is not advisable to keep fuel at home, in addition to failing to switch off gadgets such as heaters and open fires before going to sleep. Smoking indoors, especially to people that are intoxicated, also contributes to fires destroying property and sometimes leading to the loss of life,” said Mpofu. 

He called on residents not to try to risk their lives by attempting to save their belongings in huge infernos. 

“In case of a fire, people can try to save their property while they are waiting for the Fire Brigade but at the same time not risk their lives because while material things can be replaced, human life cannot,” said Mpofu.

With the power outages that have gripped the country, people are resorting to fire for cooking and keeping households warm. 

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company has advised people to be cautious during and after power cuts.

“We advise people to switch off all electrical switches except the lights and must consider having electricians check up their wiring every three to five years lest the wires are tampered with by rodents and any other factors,” said an official.

In the cases of two elderly people that died in Mabuthweni and Cowdray Park from severe burns as a result of fire engulfing their homes, investigations have pointed to candles being the source of the blazes. 

Both victims lived alone and were over the age of 70. 

One of them was said to have been epileptic. 

Ekuphumuleni Old People’s Home administrator Sukoluhle Hove called on relatives of elderly members of the community to keep an extra eye on them as most were frail and not of a sound mental health state. 

The facility offers professional and dedicated care to the elderly. 

“There is a breakdown of the kinship system nowadays, where relatives are no longer taking care of the elderly thus we see an influx of the senior citizens in our facility. 

“In cases where the elderly live alone, we implore their relatives to keep an eye on them especially in these times of load shedding where it’s inevitable to light fires for warmth and cooking,” said Hove. 

Mpilo Childern’s Hospital has recorded open fires, cooking oil and hot water which may be used as an alternative heater as common causes of child burns.

Last winter 95 cases of child burns leading to the death of two children were recorded at the hospital. This winter the hospital has so far recorded 48 cases with no casualties.

A paediatric nurse, Roselyn Arifandika, urged guardians to be careful always when handling substances that may cause burns.

“When such incidents happen, do not attempt any traditional methods. Come right away to the hospital to avoid septic injuries. The hospital has enough medication for that,” she said.

She also urged people to take seriously the health education being offered by the hospital because it is crucial in reducing such incidents.

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