Cotswold Hills family loses US$60K property in house fire

Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter

Property worth thousands of dollars was destroyed in a fire that engulfed a house in Cotswold Hills, Mabelreign on Sunday.

The owner of the house, Mr Lovemore Mabviko told Suburban that household goods worth US$60 000 including clothing, bedding, furniture in the lounge, electrical appliances, kitchen furniture and utensils  were destroyed in the fire.

He said the fire started at around 2pm to 3pm from one of the rooms in the double storey house.

“I was away.

“My son, his wife and grandkids were at home.

“My son and his wife were outside and my grandkids were inside the house.

“They were called when one of the rooms was engulfed in smoke then we phoned the Fire Brigade.

“We don’t know what caused the fire,” said Mr Mabviko.

He said nothing was saved from the house and they were all left with only the clothes they were wearing on the day.

“The Fire Brigade arrived 30 minutes after they were called for assistance.

“The Fire Brigade came from Harare Kopje while the other truck came from either Warren Park or Solomon Mujuru Drive (formerly Kirkman Drive fire station).

“The roof had already collapsed when the Fire Brigade arrived and they did not manage to save anything,” said Mr Mabviko.

He said no one was hurt in the fire as the other family members had gone to church and were phoned when they were being told about the fire.

“We thanked God no one was hurt when the house was razed to the ground,” said Mr Mabviko.

He said they have so far received assistance from the local community who have donated food to the family.

Mr Mabviko said the house was not insured.