Fire guts down 61 houses in Zomba
Fire razed down 61 houses at Frank Village, Traditional Authority Nkumbira in Zomba on Sunday, injuring one person, destroying property and leaving hundreds of people destitute.
According to Zomba Police Station officer-in-charge Hasten Mathankie, the fire is suspected to have been started by children who were playing with fire at around noon at Ngotangota area across Lake Chirwa.
Mathankie, who visited the area on Monday, said one person who was trying to rescue his property sustained dry burns on the right face and arm.
He said the fire rapidly spread because the houses were constructed with tree poles, bamboos and grass.
“It was a windy day and the fire spread rapidly; hence, difficult to put it out,” he said.
Zomba district disaster officer Florence Harawa said the affected households have lost everything, including food, clothes, medical drugs, beddings, kitchen utensils, solar panels, bicycles and fishing nets.
She said her office is waiting for a response from the Department of Disaster and Management Affairs.
Member of Parliament for Zomba Chisi Mark Botoman has appealed to government and non-governmental organisations to assist the affected people.
The area, which is at a distance of 65 kilometres from Kachulu in Zomba, is remote and can only be reached by a boat which costs K4 000 per person. n
Additional reporting by Malawi News Agency.
