Masvingo Post Office gutted by fire

Itai Muzondo

The Zimpost building which houses Masvingo Post Office, Post Office Savings Bank (POSB) and fixed line phone services provider, TelOne and other businesses, was rapidly evacuated on Monday morning following a fire outbreak on the second floor.

Althogh speculation was rife that the fire could have been caused by an electrical fault, Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson; Inspector Charity Mazula said they had not yet gathered any facts on the actual cause of the fire 

“We have not yet found any clue as to what caused the fire but we are still gathering facts,” Mazula said.

Other reports attributed the fire outbreak to a faulty heater which was being used in one of the Zinara offices.

Owners of the building, CAI Pension Fund said the fire started in the offices used by TAM Chattered Accountants.

“Smoke was seen blowing from TAM Chattered Accountants offices on the second floor and later grew into a blaze which spread to neighboring ZINARA and Leviticus Investments offices. Although no one was injured, property worth thousands of dollars has been destroyed,” said CAI Pension Fund property caretaker, Locadia Muroro.

City of Masvingo Mayor, Hubert Fidze praised the efficiency displayed by the city’s fire services department.

“It shows how effective our firefighters are. We have well-trained firefighters despite the limited number of fire trucks. I would like to thank the whole team for always being alert,” said Fidze.

Dozens of onlookers who gathered close to the building praised Masvingo Fire Brigade for a swift response to the accident which they said had helped to contain the blaze before more damage had been done.

“Many had thought the fire was going to spread to the bank but I am impressed by the response of the fire brigade,” said an onlooker who claimed to have first saw signs of the fire.

Other members of the public also expressed relief that the fire had been timeously contained by an efficient response that saved other businesses within the building and close by.news