A FAULTY Zesa cable sparked a fire that destroyed part of Bulawayo’s iconic Cecil Hotel on Monday afternoon destroying property worth $500 00, Southern Eye has established.
The inferno left part of the hotel’s roof damaged, leaving the hotel with no choice, but to send its guests away.
In a statement yesterday, the Bulawayo Fire Brigade indicated that the fire, spread by creepers on the perimeter wall, ignited roof trusses and a storeroom ceiling.
“The fire started from the sanitary lane after a Zesa live cable broke, and ignited creepers on the wall of the building. It was found spreading following creepers on walls and the roof of a building housing a storeroom. The fire finally ignited roof trusses of a storeroom,” the statement read.
An employee at the hotel, who asked not to be named, accused management of being negligent.
Bulawayo chief fire officer Linos Phiri said people should maintain their facilities.
“Creepers that grow on walls can be a fire hazard to property once they catch fire. They must be pruned at all times to avoid contact with property as they also serve as a conveyor belt to spread the fire,” Phiri said.
Attempts to get a comment from hotel management were fruitless. The hotel staff said they were not allowed to talk to the Press.
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