KEY POINTS
- A fire at Zimbabwe National Army HQ caused extensive damage but no casualties were reported, per spokesperson Col. Alphios Makotore.
- The fire began at 2:50 a.m. and was promptly contained by firefighters, preventing further spread.
- Investigations into the fire’s cause are ongoing, with authorities working to resume administrative operations at the barracks.
The Zimbabwe National Army headquarters suffered a fire outbreak in the early hours of Sunday, causing extensive damage to administration offices.
Authorities confirmed there were no casualties as details about the extent of the damage remained unclear.
According to the Herald, the fire started around 2:50 a.m., according to Zimbabwe National Army spokesperson Col. Alphios Makotore. Firefighters arrived promptly and managed to contain the blaze before it could spread further.
“The Zimbabwe National Army regrets informing the public about the incident,” Makotore said in a statement. He added that investigations into the cause of the fire are underway and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
President’s spokesperson acknowledges incident
George Charamba, a spokesperson for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, addressed the fire on social media, reassuring the public about the situation.
“We had a bad fire incident at the Army Headquarters at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks early this morning. Thankfully no one was hurt, although damage to buildings and other valuable property was extensive,” Charamba said in a tweet.
Traffic along Borrowdale Road, which runs adjacent to the barracks, was unaffected by the incident, according to Charamba.
Investigation underway
Officials are investigating the cause of the fire. The incident disrupted administrative operations at the barracks, but authorities emphasized that efforts are ongoing to mitigate the impact and resume normal functions.
The Zimbabwe National Army has pledged to release further updates as the investigation progresses.
