Mysterious Fires Ravage Family Home in Seke

Mysterious Fires Ravage Family Home in Seke – A family from Sabhuku Makosvo village in Besa, Seke, is living in fear after a mysterious fire outbreak that has repeatedly erupted on its own, destroying household property and parts of their home.

The unexplained fires have persisted for about two weeks, affecting the family of Mr Ignatius Charakupa (51), his wife, and their five children.

Mr Charakupa said he was at work when he received a phone call from his wife, Constance Chamboko (43), informing him that furniture in their living room had suddenly caught fire without any visible source.

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“I rushed home and found the sofas completely burnt. There was no clear cause of the fire,” he said.

According to Mr Charakupa, the first incident occurred on January 6 at around 10am, when one of their children noticed a sofa burning inside the house.

“The fires have continued for two weeks now and seem to break out on different days in different rooms. Property destroyed includes sofas, beds, wardrobes, chairs, a television set, a radio, carpets, blankets, clothes, a kitchen unit, shoes, children’s school books, and even the iron-sheet roof of our main house. Food supplies, including maize, were also destroyed,” he said.

What has left the family baffled is the unusual nature of the fires.

“Sometimes the fire starts between a mattress and the bed base. In other cases, children’s school books burn to ashes inside their satchels, yet the bags themselves are not damaged. Clothes burn while hanging on the washing line, and blankets and school uniforms have all been destroyed. Four of our school-going children are now staying at home because of this situation,” Mr Charakupa added.

He said the family has been left with nothing and is now relying on neighbours and church members for food, clothing, and blankets.

“We are facing serious trials and can only pray to God. People say many things about this fire, but I have never handled any charms or medicines. I will continue praying until this ends,” he said.

When Kwayedza visited the homestead, relatives had gathered to try and find ways of addressing the problem. It was also revealed that Mr Charakupa’s sister, who lives in South Africa, allegedly experienced a similar incident where her shop was destroyed by a fire that started on its own.

Mrs Charakupa said the situation has left her deeply distressed.

“The fires only start during the day, never at night. We don’t know where they come from. I have suffered many hardships in my life. I lost two children, one of whom drowned in a dam in Dema, Seke. Now our home is burning,” she said.

She added that the family is seeking help from powerful prayer warriors to bring the situation to an end.

Mrs Charakupa’s mother, Ms Tendai Chikomba (73), said she has never witnessed such a problem in her lifetime.

“Our children are suffering. We are appealing for help,” she said.

The family later contacted Kwayedza again on Wednesday, reporting that the fire had broken out once more, destroying blankets and a bag inside the house.

Meanwhile, Elder Owen Chingondi of the Velvet Masowe Church in Chitungwiza said the matter appears to have traditional implications and requires urgent intervention to assist the family