A Honda Fit driver lost control of his vehicle and ploughed into 11 members of the Johanne Masowe Church who were returning from night prayers in Nketa, Bulawayo, on Sunday morning.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo confirmed the incident to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/honda-fit-driver-ploughs-into-11-people-killing-one/">Chronicle</a>, saying one of the victims died on the spot after being trapped underneath the vehicle.
Members of the Bulawayo Fire Brigade arrived at the scene shortly after the tragic incident, which occurred near the Chicken Corner leisure outlet, between Nketa Drive and Masiyephambili Drive. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Upon arrival, the Brigade found 11 people lying on the ground, some with fractures, spine injuries, and lacerations.
A Honda Fit was found in a ditch with one person trapped underneath, who was suspected to be dead on arrival.
The Brigade extricated the trapped victim and conveyed the injured individuals to Mpilo Hospital.
</blockquote>
H said that preliminary details suggest that the driver lost control of the vehicle Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
The information we gathered is that the Honda Fit driver lost control and ploughed into a group of Johanne Masowe Church members who were returning from night prayers.
The deceased was handed over to ZRP details. The vehicle and the roadway were rendered safe by the Brigade.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

A car hit 11 people walking from church, and one person died. The accident happened in Bulawayo. The firefighters helped the injured people and took them to the hospital. The driver lost control of the car. The police are investigating the accident.

Honda Fit Hits 11 Johanne Masowe Church Members, Kills One

A kombi with 23 passengers collided head-on with an Isuzu light truck with no passengers. The accident occurred at around 7:45 AM on Monday, 20 January, along Domboshava Road.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the accident, which happened opposite Philadelphia School, Borrowdale, Harare.
The ZRP said 25 people were injured and were taken to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for medical care.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the kombi overtook an unknown vehicle in front of an oncoming vehicle, leading to the collision.
In another accident on Domboshava Road, a fire brigade vehicle collided with a Nissan March opposite stand number 144.
The fire brigade vehicle had six passengers, while the Nissan March had three passengers.
The fire brigade vehicle was en route to attend the first accident involving the Kombi and Isuzu light truck.
The ZRP has urged drivers to be safety conscious on the roads.

A big van crashed into a small truck with no one inside. Many people got hurt and had to go to the hospital. People said the van tried to pass another car and crashed into the truck. Later, a fire truck crashed with another car on the same road while going to help the first crash. The police say drivers should be careful when driving.

Fire Brigade Vehicle Collides Head-On While Responding To Head-on Collision Involving Overloaded Kombi

The adoption of solar energy and lithium batteries, often hailed as safe and environmentally friendly alternatives, has been linked to a rise in fire incidents in Bulawayo in 2024.
With rooftops across the eastern and western areas of Bulawayo increasingly covered in solar panels, many residents are turning to these alternative energy sources to cope with the country’s prolonged load-shedding.
However, this shift to solar and lithium battery-powered solutions has coincided with a disturbing surge in fire incidents in Zimbabwe’s second-largest city.
In an interview with the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/lithium-solar-batteries-linked-to-rising-home-fires/">Chronicle</a>, Bulawayo Fire Brigade Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo revealed that 32 fires in the city were caused by lithium batteries in 2024 alone.
The growing number of homes and businesses destroyed by fires from exploding lithium batteries has become a significant concern for the Fire Brigade. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
The City of Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Services is deeply concerned about the upsurge of property fires involving lithium solar batteries.
With the recent power outages and load shedding in the city, and the country in general, residents are resorting to installing solar systems, which are environmentally friendly.
In 2024, the Fire Brigade recorded an upsurge in property fires resulting in serious loss of property caused by exploding lithium-ion solar batteries.
The lithium-ion batteries are either overcharged or they overheat, leading to explosions. The explosions caused by the overcharged or overheating batteries’ ferocity and intense heat give the Fire Brigade serious challenges in extinguishing the fires.
In 2024, the Fire Brigade attended seven fire calls in the city’s central business district, five in the industrial area, and 20 in residential areas such as Suburbs, Hillside, Matsheumhlope, Manningdale, Mahatshula, and others.
</blockquote>
The common factor in all 32 fire incidents was the explosion of lithium solar batteries, a phenomenon that Moyo attributed to overheating and overcharging. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
The most common causes of lithium batteries exploding are overheating and overcharging. When a lithium battery is overcharged, too much voltage causes it to overheat, leading to explosions and subsequently a breakout of fire.
Damaged batteries can also release flammable electrolytes, increasing the risk of a fire. Exposing the batteries to high temperatures can also lead to explosions.
Residents must ensure that lithium batteries are managed well when charging and that the changeover switch is working properly.
We also recommend frequent inspection of lithium batteries for signs of damage, as well as ensuring that the battery handling and storage areas are dry, cool, well-ventilated, and free from high levels of humidity,.
</blockquote>
The Fire Brigade has urged residents to avoid purchasing lithium batteries and accessories from unverified companies and manufacturers.
They also recommended that residents install safety devices, such as alarms, to notify them when national grid electricity is restored. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
Understanding that lithium batteries pose a danger when installed incorrectly or not handled properly is important for residents to prevent fires in their homes. 
For example, the fires in Suburbs, Matsheumhlope, and Pro-Dairy Products premises were all caused by explosions from the lithium solar batteries.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is grappling with an electricity crisis caused by low water levels at Lake Kariba, which have significantly reduced the output of the Kariba Hydroelectric Power Station, a key source of electricity.
In addition, the Hwange Thermal Power Plant has been plagued by frequent breakdowns, further diminishing the country’s power generation capacity.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Lithium batteries used with solar energy are causing many fires in Bulawayo. People are installing solar panels because of power outages, but the batteries are exploding and causing fires. The explosions are from the batteries getting too hot or charged too much. The Fire Brigade is concerned and urges people to be careful when handling lithium batteries. They suggest buying from verified companies and using safety devices. More fires are happening because of the electricity crisis in Zimbabwe.Residents should be careful with lithium batteries to avoid fires in their homes.

Lithium Batteries Blamed For Dozens Of Fires In Bulawayo

The Gwanda Fire Brigade struggled to extinguish a fire that engulfed a Toyota Runx vehicle outside Gwanda town centre, near the NSSA complex along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge Road, on Monday afternoon.
According to <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/toyota-runx-burns-to-shell-as-fire-brigade-uses-small-dish-to-get-water-to-extinguish-inferno/">Chronicle</a>, in a desperate bid to control the blaze, the fire team resorted to using a small dish, provided by a well-wisher, after their rear water pump failed to load.
They had to improvise by using a suction hose to collect water in the dish, much to the frustration of onlookers who watched helplessly as the fire spread.
The vehicle, which was travelling from Beitbridge to Gwanda, is believed to have developed a mechanical fault.
The driver reportedly engaged a mechanic to fix the problem, but as the mechanic worked on the car, it suddenly caught fire.
Despite the efforts of the fire brigade, the vehicle was completely consumed by the flames.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Gwanda Fire Brigade had trouble putting out a fire on a Toyota Runx car near town. Their water pump failed, so they used a small dish to collect water. Onlookers were frustrated as they watched the fire grow. The car was from Beitbridge and caught fire while being fixed by a mechanic. The fire brigade couldn't save the car and it was completely burned.

Gwanda Fire Brigade Uses Small Dish To Battle Blaze On Burning Vehicle

The City of Harare has blamed a crowd and shop owners for the late response by the fire brigade in putting out a fire that engulfed a building at the corner of Cameroon Street and Fidel Castro Road (formerly Charter) on Wednesday afternoon.
In a statement, the local authority said anti-riot police were later deployed to the scene to disperse a “big crowd” that had gathered there and had blocked firefighters from accessing the building.
It also said that when the fire started, the shop owners did not immediately alert the fire brigade. The City of Harare said:
<blockquote>
There was a huge fire at a shop at the corner of Cameroon Street and Fidel Castro Road (formerly Charter) which started just before 2 p.m.
The property was extensively damaged. Our fire brigade was initially blocked from accessing the building by a big crowd gathered there.
The firefighters had to engage Anti-riot police to disperse the crowd.
The firemen then accessed the building after some time and by then the fire had caused extensive damage. 
The fire brigade however managed to control the fire. 
It also turns out that the shop owners took time to inform the fire brigade of the fire, judging by the amount of goods they managed to take out before the fire escalated.
What caused the fire is still a subject of investigation by the fire brigade team. 
The City would want to warn residents against blocking our firefighters from doing their work.
It is also dangerous for people to go so close to such fire situations.
</blockquote>
On Thursday, Harare Mayor His Worship Cllr Ian Makone visited the building that was destroyed by the fire and spoke to some of the owners.
The Fire Department is still investigating what caused the fire which destroyed property worth millions of dollars.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Bystanders Blamed For Fire Brigade's Late Response To Harare CBD Inferno

A reported 15 vehicles were destroyed by fire at Top Gear Panel Beaters, a garage in Marondera town’s industrial sites, on Thursday night.
The vehicles were awaiting service and repairs and were parked inside the building when the fire, whose cause is yet to be ascertained, broke out.
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/15-cars-destroyed-by-fire-at-garage/">The Herald</a> reported sources as saying the Marondera fire brigade could not attend to the fire as its single fire tender was away for service.
A fire engine was despatched from Harare but by the time it arrived at the scene of the fire, the garage and the cars within it had been destroyed.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) deputy spokesperson in Mashonaland East Province Assistant Inspector Misheck Denhere could not give the the exact number of vehicles destroyed.
However, sources close to investigations said more than 15 vehicles were destroyed in the inferno.
One of the residents of Marondera, Ralph Chimanikire, said the fire incident was tragic, adding that the Marondera Municipality needs to be capacitated. He said:
<blockquote>
We are pained by this tragedy which has affected this young entrepreneur who was working here.
I am one of his clients. The unfortunate part is they could not get help to extinguish this fire. It is very unfortunate.
Something has to be done by Marondera Municipality so that they become proactive and react to issues like this one. 
We are so worried; a lot of vehicles have been destroyed. If only assistance had come in time, some vehicles were going to be saved.
</blockquote>
A witness, Cecilia Chiwara, who lives near the garage, told The Herald that alerted the fire brigade about the fire and was told that they did not have equipment to assist. She said:
<blockquote>
I first saw some smoke in the building and I immediately called the owner of the garage and told him about the fire.
I then rushed to the fire and ambulance site which is about 100 metres from the garage, and they told me that they did not have any vehicle to use.
I then called Harare’s fire department and they responded and by the time they got here, the fire had already destroyed all the vehicles in the building.
</blockquote>
Marondera Municipality public relations officer Kudakwashe Tapfumaneyi released a statement on 01 September following the fire incident. It reads:
<blockquote>
The Municipality of Marondera would like to inform Marondera residents and stakeholders that there was a fire outbreak at the Top Gear Panel Beaters in the industrial area last night.
The fire damaged cars and other property that was within the garage. The Council fire tender was out on routine service and could not be used to respond to the accident.
However, Council enlisted the assistance of the Harare City emergency services who managed to attend to the accident.
Council is liaising with the Police and other authorities to try to determine the cause of the fire outbreak. Details of the cause of the outbreak will be released to the public once investigations are concluded. 
Marondera Municipality is expecting to receive a new fire tender from the new fleet of fire tenders that were recently commissioned by His Excellency the President, D. ED Mnangagwa following their procurement from Belarus.
The new fire tender will be a good addition to our emergency vehicle fleet which currently only has one fire tender. 
Council would like to express its heartfelt sympathy to all those who lost their property due to the fire incident.
Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to remain calm while authorities carry out the necessary investigations.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula </a>

15 Vehicles Awaiting Service Destroyed By Fire

Four families in Bulawayo were Tuesday night left stranded after a block of flats in the city centre caught fire, <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/bulawayo-residential-flat-goes-up-in-smoke/">Chronicle</a> reported.
The fire, which erupted at Ringwood Flats located at the corner of Second Avenue and George Silundika Street, is suspected to have started at around 4 PM.
Two weeks ago, another fire hit the city centre area when a fuel tanker caught fire during decanting while another flat at <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/two-bulawayo-families-survive-fire-at-ascot-shopping-centre/">Ascot caught fire last month</a>.
The entire third floor of the flat was reduced to ashes and tenants were left counting losses.
Bulawayo acting chief fire officer Mr Lynos Phiri said they delayed arriving at the scene as they were attending three other fire calls in Matsheumhlope suburb and Umguza.
One of the tenants, Mr Trymore Mangwiro, told Chronicle that he was informed about the fire while he was at work. He said:
<blockquote>
We lost everything in the inferno as we could not salvage anything. My sister called the fire brigade but they delayed coming and as such they could not salvage anything. It is unclear what exactly transpired there.
</blockquote>
Mr Mangwiro said he heard that the fire started in a room where there were only children whose parents were at work. 
A neighbour, Mrs Nomalanga Dube, said they only saw a thick cloud of smoke coming out of the flat.
She said the power was switched off and people were shouting for help.
The first fire tender arrived without water but they quickly connected to the nearby fire hydrant before two other fire tenders arrived.
Mr Phiri said they were still conducting investigations to establish the cause of the fire.
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni wrote on Facebook last night urging residents to take insurance against fires. He also expressed concern over dilapidated buildings in the city centre.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

Another Building Catches Fire In Bulawayo

A survey conducted by The Herald revealed that fire departments in the country’s major towns and cities have no capacity to handle major fire incidents.
Speaking to the publication, City of Harare emergency services assistant chief fire officer Mr Lovemore Mafukidze said that Harare has 15 functional fire trucks out of 20, 3 functional aerial ladders out of five, 14 specialist functional vehicles and 14 ambulances and out of the total, 10 are working. He also said that the three sub-stations in Kuwadzana, Waterfalls and Greendale are equipped with a single fire truck each.
Chairperson of the caretaker commission appointed by Government to look into the welfare of Chitungwiza, Mr Madzudzo Pawadyira said that the town has one functional fire engine which was recently acquired through donation. He said that it does not have  connectivity by radio with City of Harare. In Beitbridge, town secretary Mr Loud Ramakgapolo said they only have one functional fire truck. Below are the statistics for other towns according to the Herald’s survey:
<ul>
<li>Mutare – 1 truck out of 3.</li>
<li>Gweru- 2 out of 5 trucks, 6 ambulances.</li>
<li>Masvingo- 3 out of 4 trucks, one rapid intervention vehicle and 3 ambulances.</li>
<li>Bulawayo- 8 functional ambulances out of 11.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="http://www.herald.co.zw/fire-departments-disaster-mode/">Herald</a>

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