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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A two-year-old infant was burnt to death in Mwenezi after his father, a suspected illegal petrol dealer, caused a fire which torched their hut when he was pouring fuel under candle-light. Ivy Chademba of Flora Range Village 4 was burnt to ashes after his parents failed to rescue him from the inferno.

The parents escaped unhurt, leaving the infant at the mercy of the fire. Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Charity Mazula said the incident occurred last Sunday night.

She said the boy’s remains were taken to Neshuro District Hospital for a post-mortem. Insp Mazula said the father, Mr Gift Chademba, allegedly poured the fuel while using a candle for lighting, and the house caught fire. She said when tragedy struck, there were three people in the house, Mr Chademba, his unnamed wife and the deceased child.

“The father, whom we suspect is an illegal fuel dealer, was pouring petrol from one container into another besides a naked flame of a lit candle,” said Insp Mazula.

“The two parents rescued themselves, leaving their son in the house and he was burnt to ashes. The whole thatched bedroom hut was engulfed in flames, while all property in the house was destroyed,” said Insp Mazula.

She advised members of the public against storing fuel at home.