By Delicious Mathuthu
In a tragic incident that occured in Zvishavane on Tuesday afternoon (15/08/2023), a-nine-months-old toddler died in a makeshift house fire incident while the mother was taking a bath, Midlands Police have said.
The toddler was left alone with his three year old brother in the makeshift house, sleeping on a foam rubber mattress while the mother went for a bath.
The brother escaped the fire as he is said was playing outside the house when the fire broke out.
It took a neighbour to alert the mother that their house was on fire.
The fire was extinguished with the assistance of other neighbours but it was too late as the baby succumbed to serious burns.
Midlands Police Spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident saying Police are now looking into the tragedy.
“Police confirms a Zvishavane fire incident which resulted in the death of a-9-month-old baby.
“It occurred on 15 August 2023 around 1300hours in Mandava high density suburb.
“It is alleged that the deceased’s mother went to take a bath leaving her two boy children, a 3 year old and the now deceased 9 month old baby.
“The baby was sleeping on a foam rubber mattress in their make-shift house while the 3 year old was playing outside,” he said.
“The victim’s mother was informed by a neighbour that her house was on fire.
“With the help of other neighbours they managed to put out the fire but the baby was already dead.
“He sustained burns on the head and upper-body,” Inspector Mahoko said.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
