A house worker suffered serious burns when her room caught fire around midnight. Solar batteries exploded after people left them charging for hours without stopping. The woman slept close to where the lithium batteries burst into flames. Fire crews rushed her to the hospital with severe injuries from the blaze. Another woman breathed in dangerous smoke, and a baby also needed medical care.
Bulawayo Fire Chief Mhlangano Moyo said crews received the emergency call just after midnight. Teams from Nketa and Nkulumane fire stations arrived within ten minutes of the alarm. Firefighters found the domestic worker trapped where the solar equipment had exploded violently. Quick action from neighbors who called for help saved many lives that night. Emergency workers pulled three people from the burning house.
The fire destroyed property worth 168,800 Zimbabwe Gold dollars before crews controlled the flames. Firefighters managed to save items valued at 906,400 Zimbabwe Gold dollars from destruction. Fast response time helped limit damage to other parts of the home. Overcharged batteries created the dangerous situation that hurt multiple people. Officials warn residents about leaving solar equipment plugged in for extended periods.
Bulawayo Fire Chief Mhlangano Moyo said crews received the emergency call just after midnight. Teams from Nketa and Nkulumane fire stations arrived within ten minutes of the alarm. Firefighters found the domestic worker trapped where the solar equipment had exploded violently. Quick action from neighbors who called for help saved many lives that night. Emergency workers pulled three people from the burning house.
The fire destroyed property worth 168,800 Zimbabwe Gold dollars before crews controlled the flames. Firefighters managed to save items valued at 906,400 Zimbabwe Gold dollars from destruction. Fast response time helped limit damage to other parts of the home. Overcharged batteries created the dangerous situation that hurt multiple people. Officials warn residents about leaving solar equipment plugged in for extended periods.
