News / National
Mudhara Bhonzo (Lawrence Simbarashe) burnt in house fire
07 Dec 2011 at 20:22hrs | Views
Former radio presenter Lawrence Simbarashe, popularly known as Mudhara Bhonzo was injured and lost property worth thousands of dollars when his Chitungwiza house went up in smoke yesterday morning.
Simbarashe sustained burns on the face and left hand from the fire, whose source is still to be established.
He was taken to hospital by well-wishers, while his wife and two other people escaped unhurt.
Part of the house's roof was damaged while doors and windowpanes were destroyed.
Simbarashe said the fire could have emanated from a burning candle.
"I woke up around 1am to fill our containers with water since we experience water problems here. I lit the candle and left it on a stand in the dining room," said Simbarashe.
"When I returned, I saw the house on fire. I do not know what really happened. I was burnt while trying to recover property."
The comedian's wife, Ms Pain Mugura, suspected foul play and called for thorough investigations.
"I am a politician and war veteran. My husband is an ex-detainee and I suspect some enemies are behind this. I think it could have been a bomb because candle fire does not spread that fast," she said.
"We have made a police report and we urge the police to make a thorough investigation because we have so many enemies politically."
Another woman who identified herself as a sister to Ms Mugura said she heard an explosion and quickly woke her sister.
"There was fire in the passage and we rescued a little child who was asleep before taking out some blankets and a few household property," she said.
"I do not believe the fire was started by a candle."
Mourners attending a funeral at a nearby house joined in putting out the fire and helped retrieve a few items.
Property burnt included a refrigerator, a stove, a set of sofas, chairs, a room divider, television set, kitchenware and clothes.
It took the neighbours more than an hour to put out the fire.
Simbarashe sustained burns on the face and left hand from the fire, whose source is still to be established.
He was taken to hospital by well-wishers, while his wife and two other people escaped unhurt.
Part of the house's roof was damaged while doors and windowpanes were destroyed.
Simbarashe said the fire could have emanated from a burning candle.
"I woke up around 1am to fill our containers with water since we experience water problems here. I lit the candle and left it on a stand in the dining room," said Simbarashe.
"When I returned, I saw the house on fire. I do not know what really happened. I was burnt while trying to recover property."
The comedian's wife, Ms Pain Mugura, suspected foul play and called for thorough investigations.
"We have made a police report and we urge the police to make a thorough investigation because we have so many enemies politically."
Another woman who identified herself as a sister to Ms Mugura said she heard an explosion and quickly woke her sister.
"There was fire in the passage and we rescued a little child who was asleep before taking out some blankets and a few household property," she said.
"I do not believe the fire was started by a candle."
Mourners attending a funeral at a nearby house joined in putting out the fire and helped retrieve a few items.
Property burnt included a refrigerator, a stove, a set of sofas, chairs, a room divider, television set, kitchenware and clothes.
It took the neighbours more than an hour to put out the fire.
Source - TH