2 fuel tankers erupt in flames in Bulawayo

Two fuel tankers caught fire on Monday night in Bulawayo's Donnington Industrial Area along Goderich Avenue and Masiyephambili Road, in an incident suspected to be linked to a fuel siphoning operation gone wrong.

Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo confirmed that the tankers, which were loaded with fuel, went up in flames near DA Service Station, triggering loud explosions and prompting an emergency response.

"We are at the scene and it's terrible. Two tankers filled with fuel went up in flames, leading to loud explosions, and we are still trying to contain the fire. It's been hours," said Mr Moyo. "We are investigating the cause."

Several fire tenders were dispatched to the area as firefighters battled for hours to bring the blaze under control amid the high risk posed by the burning fuel. Authorities confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident.

The explosions sent shockwaves across nearby suburbs, with residents from Tshabalala, Nketa and Bellevue taking to social media to describe the terrifying experience. Some likened the sound to that of a low-magnitude earthquake, while residents closer to the industrial area reported that windows were shattered by the force of the blasts.

Police and fire officials have cordoned off the area as investigations continue to establish the exact cause of the fire and whether illegal fuel siphoning was involved.

The incident has renewed concerns over fuel theft and safety in industrial zones, particularly where tankers carrying highly flammable substances are parked or left unattended.