Suburban
Ivan Zhakata and Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporters
SOME compassionate Harare residents are mobilising donations in the form of clothing and utensils among other needs for the Greystone Park family whose house was burnt on New Year’s Eve after a suspected stray fire cracker landed on the roof of the thatched house, badly damaging the building and destroying property.
On landing on the thatch roof, the suspected firecracker ignited and razed down a portion of the two storey-house as people celebrated the cross over into the New Year.
Following publication of the plight of the owners of the house in the press and on social media, some residents have seen it fit to help the Greystone Park family who lost most of their personal belongings and household property in the fire.
According to the residents who have launched an appeal for help for the Greystone Park family, there has been an overwhelming response with donations having started coming in.
Mr Michaela Hubbard a family friend took to social media and appealed for help from well-wishers to help the affected family.
Mr Hubbard, in his message appealing for assistance said:
“I am sure you have all heard by now of the horrific house fire in Greystone Park that happened as a result of a firework landing on a thatched roof. I would like to ask if anyone has anything to donate we would greatly appreciate it.
“Just about everything went up in smoke. He managed to save his lounge suite but that was about it. If you have any unwanted items lying around that you are prepared to donate it would really be appreciated. We are trying to find some clothes for him now (36/38), but anything like pots, pans, cooking utensils, bath towels! Anything would be useful.”
The fire incident happened around midnight on New Year’s Eve when people started blasting fire crackers in the normally serene neighbourhood. The fire consumed much of the house’s thatched roof while household property worth thousands of dollars was destroyed although there were no fatalities.
One of the owners of the house Mr Bret Spark told our sister paper The Sunday Mail: “It happened at midnight, I was sleeping when I heard a loud bang of a fire cracker exploding and moments later I found the house had caught fire. I am very certain it was a firecracker that ignited the house. We got assistance from neighbours who came quickly to assist with getting some of the furniture out.”
Mr Spark said there was a swift response from the City of Harare Fire Department as firefighters managed to douse the inferno.
“Were it not for the kindness and assistance from neighbours and the dedicated hard work from the Fire Department, things would have been much worse,” he said.
City of Harare chief fire officer Mr Clever Mafoti confirmed the fire incident.
“I can confirm that there was a fire that broke out at a two-storey property in Greystone Park and our team responded swiftly to the incident and managed to save some section of the house. We could not establish the cause of the fire during that time because our primary objective in such incidents is to save life and property. We will wait for our investigations to ascertain the cause of the fire,” he said.
In an interview, Mr Hubbard said he has received an overwhelming positive response with people donating some household goods and others offering money to the affected family.
He said he has received clothes, kitchen utensils, linen and a single and double bed and more donations were still coming in.
“I sent the message out and within just a few hours I had people calling, sending messages on WhatsApp and messaging with a variety of items to donate to Evan and Bret,” Mr Hubbard said.
“I was collecting items mainly for Bret, I know him through a friend and believe he lost the most as Evan managed to get a lot of his things out, and planned to donate anything we received in excess to charities and others in need.”
Mr Hubbard said he was blown away by the response, the kindness and the generosity of Zimbabweans.
He said people were giving clothes, kitchen utensils, linen and even furniture and was also getting inquiries from people asking how they could send money and some requesting to put money together to help investigations to find out who set the firecracker off.
“An elderly lady phoned me asking me to collect items she had put together as she could not drive, she is in a wheelchair.
“That blew me away. I have also received a call this morning from an elderly lady who has got some items together at her pensioners’ home,” said Mr Hubbard.
There is also a message circulating that donations were being taken to Borrowdale Country Club.
“The house (burnt by a) fire on New Year’s Eve belonged to two of our (Borrowdale Country Club) members and they lost everything. We are asking for donations of any household items, furniture, linen, kitchen stuff and men’s clothes (shirt size XL, pants size 34, shoes size 8), literally anything and everything home related. Drop off point at Borrowdale Country Club,” reads the message.
What was meant to be a celebration into the New Year turned into a tragedy for Bret and Evan at Number 9, Guyscliff Road Greystone Park as known locally by residents but noted as Guys Road on Google maps.
Greystone Park Security Neighbourhood Watch (GPSNW) vice chairperson Ms Ellen Dove narrated the incident and encouraged residents to donate towards the owners of the house saying every donation is significant and helpful.
“It’s unfortunate that at midnight on the 1st of January 2022 a stray firework set off the traumatic house fire on Guyscliff/Guys Road.
“The Greystone Park Security Neighbourhood Watch would like to assist the affected people from the house in Guyscliff/Guys Road.
“All personal items were lost by the fire that engulfed and destroyed the building. If you feel led to give, please send to the merchant platform GPSNW 402566.
“Donated items can be dropped off at Borrowdale Country Club noted as ‘Guyscliff/Guys Rd New Year House Fire,” said Ms Dove.
Borrowdale Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) chairperson Mr Robert Mutyasira said the incident should be the last in the Borrowdale community linked to carelessness when urging people to consider other residents’ property and lives.
“The New Year’s Greystone Park incident is unfortunate and it must be the last in our community attributed to over excitement, recklessness and irresponsibility. We understand it was in the spirit of celebrating the New Year but we should celebrate within permissible parameters which do not leave other residents in danger.
“The loss is just too huge to comprehend. We urge all residents, in future consider the lives, properties of others before enhancing levels of excitement,” said Mr Mutyasira.
The BRRA commended the City of Harare Fire Department for a job well done, as they did everything they could considering the time they were alerted of the inferno.
Prior to the New Year celebrations, police had warned members of the public against using firecrackers to celebrate the dawn of a new season noting that fireworks pose a serious danger to humans, animals and property.
