A tragic incident in Mberengwa, Midlands, resulted in the d3ath of 75-year-old Anna Siziba, who was immolated in her grass thatched hut on October 7.
The disaster occurred during an afternoon where Anna and her 78-year-old sister, Lilian Nungu, were enjoying tea outside their homestead after having prepared it inside.
Unbeknownst to them, a sudden whirlwind swept through their yard, igniting some strands of thatching grass that were still inside the hut, which quickly escalated into a full-blown inferno.
In a desperate attempt to extinguish the flames, Anna rushed back into the hut, but the fire engulfed her immediately, leading to severe burns that left her unrecognizable.
Local police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident, stating that the tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with open flames, particularly in areas with thatched roofing.
Following the incident, Anna’s charred remains were transported to Zvishavane District Hospital for further examination.
The community is urged to exercise caution when using fire outdoors, especially in windy conditions, to prevent such heart-wrenching tragedies in the future.
