MILLIONS LOST AS STONE FREE BURNT BY WILDFIRE

MDZIMBA - An establishment known as Stone Free was burnt by a wildfire, resulting in a loss of millions of Emalangeni worth of property yesterday.

Information gathered was to the effect that the property, situated along the Ezulwini-Mdzimba Public Road, was reduced to ashes by the fire, which allegedly started from a neighbour’s homestead in the afternoon. Unconfirmed reports were to the effect that the fire spread to the dry grass from a pit, where the neighbour was burning waste. It has been gathered that the burnt property included fully-furnished houses, a motor vehicle, fish in a pond, birds, water tanks, pipes and tools.

Establishment

Those found at the scene said the fire started from a neighbour’s home and spread to the establishment through the dry grass.  The residents said two employees of the establishment tried in vain to put out the fire, which gained momentum due to strong wind. “The employees tried to put out the fire next to the hut while waiting for the Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services personnel. However, their efforts went down the drain as the fire was driven by the strong wind. “The thatched house caught the fire within a few seconds. The firefighters could not save the property due to the severity of the fire,” said the residents.

It was gathered that a motor vehicle was burnt a few metres after it was removed from the garage. The residents said the steering wheel of the motor vehicle locked while it was being pushed from the garage. It was gathered that three people are employed at the establishment. The employees said they were uncomfortable to comment before recording statements with the police. “We will talk to the police about the incident,” shouted one of the employees when requested for an interview.  While this reporter was on his way to the scene, some fire personnel were on their way to refill the water on the fire engines at the Mbabane River, which is situated about four kilometres from the establishment.

Other firefighters were on their way to the scene on a water-filled fire engine. Upon arrival at the scene, other firefighters were found waiting for the fire engine. Some of the houses were still in flames. The fire personnel used their tactics to prevent the fire from spreading to the remaining houses. Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (ENFRES) PRO Mandla Dlamini was also present at the scene with the firefighters. Dlamini said it was unfortunate that the establishment caught fire within a few minutes, resulting in the loss of property. He thanked the firefighters for their efforts in saving the remaining house from the fire. Dlamini said logic dictated that a thatched house could be destroyed by fire in less than five minutes. The property owner could not be reached for comment, as he was reported to be out of the country and his cellphone number was not available on the network.

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