A fire broke out on Tuesday morning along Five Avenue and Robert Mugabe Way behind a three-story building in Bulawayo’s Central Business District following an explosion of a welding gas cylinder, causing damage estimated at over ZWL$31 million.
One male survivor sustained burns from the incident.
According to a report by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) fire brigade, sparks from a welding machine ignited the gas.
Upon CITE’s arrival at the scene, the BCC fire brigade was already present, battling the blaze.
Police officers were also present at the scene.
Informal traders operating in the area revealed that several businesses, including cooking, gas filling, and welding operations, were taking place behind the building.
Some traders also stated that one of the gas cylinders had been leaking for some time.
“The fire started from the guy who sells gas. We didn’t see what happened; we just heard the explosion and ran outside. I had to return for my phone, which I had left behind and found someone trying to get water to put out the fire. It was just a small fire at the time, but the gas was leaking,” one trader recounted.
Another trader mentioned that the owner of the leaking gas cylinder had been previously cautioned about the issue.
“I think it leaked for a while, and some people were cooking next door, so I think that all contributed,” another trader said.
BCC Acting Chief Fire Officer, Linos Phiri, stated that upon the fire brigade’s arrival, they encountered large quantities of cardboard boxes engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading into the building and threatening nearby properties.
“Occupants had evacuated the building, and no firefighting efforts were being made due to reported LPG cylinders,” Phiri explained.
