A Plumtree teacher has appealed for public assistance after a fire destroyed property at her family home in Upper Rangemore, Bulawayo, leaving her struggling to replace essential household items and support her traumatised child.
Linda Mpofu said the fire broke out on Saturday evening while she was away from home, after neighbours noticed flames coming from the property and attempted to contain the blaze.
“It was around 1800hrs on Saturday the 25th of July 2026 when I got a call that my house was on fire,” Mpofu told CITE.
She said neighbours were the first to respond but were unable to stop the fire from spreading.
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“The neighbours are the ones who first noticed the inferno and rushed to try and put it out but according to them it was already out of hand,” she said.
The blaze destroyed children’s clothing, blankets, a bed and building materials, adding pressure on the family as they prepare for the start of the next school term.
Mpofu said the incident had been particularly difficult for her children, with her youngest child left traumatised after witnessing the fire.
“My children suffered a heavy blow because most of their clothes burnt in the fire and it left the youngest traumatised as he witnessed it all,” she said.
She said she now faces the challenge of rebuilding the home, replacing lost belongings and meeting school-related expenses.
“The challenges I’m facing right now are rebuilding what was lost, replacing my children’s clothes, especially now when I’m faced with next term fees, replacing all other things that I lost and assisting my neighbour whose Jojo tank was burnt too,” she said.
Mpofu said she also wanted to replace her neighbour’s damaged water tank despite not being asked to do so.
“They did not ask me to replace it but as a human being, for the sake of sisterhood,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to colleagues, friends and neighbours who have supported her since the incident.
“I have received emotional support from my workmates, pieces of clothing from a close friend who wants to remain anonymous, not forgetting my neighbours who always come to my rescue even when I’m miles away,” she said.
Mpofu praised her neighbours for repeatedly standing by her family.
“All I can say is to thank my neighbours a thousand times for standing with my family not once or twice but always since I work outside town,” she said.
She urged members of the public to take precautions against household fires and consider insuring their property.
“I would like to urge members of the public to be extra careful and also to insure their properties,” she said.
Mpofu is appealing for assistance from well-wishers as she works to rebuild her home.
Members of the public who wish to assist can contact Linda Mpofu on 077 923 5596. Her home is located at 303 JHT, Upper Rangemore, Bulawayo.
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