Two children killed in inferno

Two toddlers from Phikelela village in Insiza district, Matabeleland South Province have died from severe burns sustained in a house fire that broke in the early hours of Friday.

The Sibanda family will rue the day they left 4-year-old Shantelle Siziba and Wandile Sibanda (1 year two months) unattended, as the older toddler is suspected to have put on a paraffin light that could have sparked the blaze.

According to the family spokesperson, Mr Bafana Sibanda, the tragedy struck when the mother and grandmother of the children left the two toddlers together with their 11-year-old disabled brother, without a caretaker to go and fetch water and firewood.

Villagers, who rushed to the scene of the incident, said they found the door of the house locked from inside and only managed to evacuate the toddlers from the raging blaze after 45 minutes.

The children later succumbed to the injuries at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) and the community has been left grieve stricken .

Local legislators encouraged parents to ensure that they leave their children with capable and trusted caretakers as failure to do so exposes them to risks.

Insiza North legislator, Andrew Langa donated various food staffs to the bereaved family.