MASVINGO – A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Thursday, July 17, 2025, when two young sisters, aged just two and four, died in a house fire at a residential plot in Clipsham, Masvingo. The children were sleeping in a room that suddenly caught fire, and despite efforts by neighbors and family members, the flames claimed their lives before help could arrive.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the incident in a statement issued later that day, describing the fire as “tragic” and stating that the cause remains under investigation. Authorities have since launched a full-scale forensic inquiry to determine what sparked the deadly blaze.
“The ZRP reports a tragic incident which occurred at a plot in Clipsham, Masvingo, on 17/07/25, where two female infants aged two and four were burned to death after the room in which they were sleeping caught fire,” the police said in an official statement.
The remains of the two children have since been transported to Masvingo General Hospital, where post-mortem examinations are being conducted to confirm the cause of death.
According to sources close to the family, the toddlers had been left sleeping while their guardian briefly stepped out. Upon returning, she discovered the room engulfed in flames. Neighbors rushed to help, but the fire had already spread rapidly, making rescue impossible.
The devastating incident has plunged the Clipsham community into mourning. Residents expressed shock and sorrow, noting that the young girls were well-known in the area. Community leaders and neighbors gathered at the scene to offer condolences and support to the bereaved family, while many also called for urgent action to prevent similar tragedies.
Tragedy in Masvingo as House Fire Claims Lives of Two Toddlers
“This is a heartbreaking loss for all of us,” said one neighbor, visibly shaken. “We need more awareness about home fire safety. Children should never be left unattended, especially with fire hazards nearby.”
Authorities echoed these concerns, warning members of the public about the dangers of leaving children unsupervised in homes with fire-related utilities, including open flames, candles, braziers, or faulty electrical appliances. Police are also encouraging residents to install basic fire safety tools like smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and to ensure homes have proper ventilation and safe wiring.
“The public is urged to be vigilant when using fire-related appliances and to take extra caution to prevent similar accidents,” the ZRP said.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Ezra Chadzamira also expressed sorrow at the incident, noting that such a preventable loss of life is a painful reminder of the importance of public safety education. “My heart goes out to the family that lost their children in this unimaginable tragedy. We must do more to promote fire safety, especially in peri-urban and rural areas where access to fire-fighting equipment is limited,” he said.
Human rights and child welfare organizations have also weighed in, urging the government to initiate a national campaign focused on child safety in the home. The Zimbabwe Child Rights Coalition called for improved public awareness around domestic hazards and called on local authorities to incorporate fire safety education into school and community programs.
“Every child deserves to be safe at home,” said a spokesperson for the coalition. “The tragic loss of these two little girls must not be in vain. We must act now to prevent future deaths.”
Clipsham, a growing suburb on the outskirts of Masvingo, has seen a rise in informal housing, where many homes are built with limited safety features. Fire outbreaks in such areas often spread quickly due to overcrowding and the use of flammable building materials, further complicating rescue efforts.
As investigations continue, authorities have pledged to keep the public informed about their findings. Meanwhile, the community prepares to lay the two girls to rest in what promises to be a somber funeral attended by family, friends, and neighbors — all united in grief over lives lost far too soon.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety and supervision in homes, especially those with young children.
Source- ZimEye
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