A KAROI fuel dealer died, while two others sustained serious injuries after a fuel container exploded in a house on Saturday.
The deceased, Tafadzwa Zanga (30), was among three people trapped in a house that was engulfed in fire from the explosion in Chikangwe high-density suburb.
Mashonaland West provincial police deputy spokesperson assistant inspector Aggray Jaure yesterday confirmed the incident.
‘‘I confirm the death of Tafadzwa Zanga at Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital due to severe burning wounds sustained from a fuel explosion in Karoi on Saturday around 12am,’’ Jaure said.
Jaure said the injured Sibangeni Macheza (30) and Cliff Mwanza (30) were battling for their lives at the hospital after sustaining burns all over their bodies.
‘‘The trio went to house number 987 Chikangwe with the intention of refuelling their container in one of the two rooms they used to store fuel. It was during that time that another tenant Melody Musariri (52) heard a booming sound and later saw flames engulfing the rooms while the trio shouted for help as they tried to escape.
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“The injured were later rescued by neighbours. They were taken to Karoi District Hospital and later transferred to Chinhoyi,” added Jaure.
Jaure warned people to desist from illegally selling fuel and storing it indoors.
‘‘People must desist from keeping fuel, especially petrol that is inflammable. We even call on farmers not to stock too much fuel in containers in homes. We also call on fuel dealers to stop this habit as it has serious consequences,” Jaure said.
In May last year, another prominent fuel dealer, Adam Kaponda, was burnt to death in an inferno at his rented house in Chikangwe.