Mysterious fires tormenting family

A family in Zomba Village, Ward 7B2, under Chief Mataruse in Mberengwa, is living in the open after four structures at their homestead were destroyed by a series of mysterious fires in less than a week.

Homestead owner Pamnus Zhou said the fires began in the yard on Monday, September 28, before spreading to buildings on the property. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the family has been unable to stop the fires.

Zhou's round hut bedroom was the first structure to be destroyed. Two days later, on Wednesday, a three-bedroom flat belonging to his son, who is based in Harare, caught fire and was reduced to ashes.

A kitchen was also gutted by fire on Thursday, leaving the family with only one round hut, which they fear could also be destroyed.

"We are only left with one round hut and we don't even know whether it is also not going to catch this mysterious fire. When the fire starts, no one is able to stop it. We don't even know where the fire is coming from. We tried to engage prophets but nothing is working. We are appealing to anyone who can assist," said Zhou.

All the property inside the affected structures was destroyed, leaving the family in desperate need of assistance.

The Zhou family is appealing to well-wishers for help as they struggle to find shelter and establish the cause of the fires. They are also seeking assistance from traditional healers in the hope of understanding the unexplained incidents.