By Midlands Correspondent
REDCLIFF – A community in Redcliff’s Rutendo suburb is in mourning today after a devastating house fire claimed the lives of three young children and left a fourth injured on Friday night. The tragedy occurred while the children’s mother was attending a church service, leaving the minors alone at home.
The victims, aged six and nine, were trapped in the inferno that authorities believe was caused by an illegal electrical connection. Another child survived the incident but sustained burns and was rushed to a local medical facility for treatment.
Redcliff Municipality spokesperson, Mr. Michael Magoronga, confirmed the tragic incident in an official statement, pointing to faulty illegal wiring as the likely cause.
“We can confirm a tragic incident where three minors lost their lives due to a suspected electrical fault,” Magoronga stated.
“Preliminary assessments indicate the fault was a result of alleged illegal wiring at the property. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and the entire community during this difficult time.”
The heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through the small town, with neighbors and relatives gathering at the scene in a show of collective grief and support for the bereaved mother. The tragedy is particularly poignant as it echoes a previous family misfortune—reports indicate the children’s father died in a similar electrical accident at his workplace three years ago.
Local authorities have launched a full investigation into the exact circumstances that led to the electrical fault. The tragedy has also reignited concerns about the prevalence of illegal electrical connections in many Zimbabwean communities, often resulting from economic hardships and inadequate service delivery.
As the community grapples with this unimaginable loss, counseling services have been mobilized to support the grieving family. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by unauthorized electrical installations and the vulnerability of children left unsupervised.
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