Johnson Progress

Three people were burnt beyond recognition when a cabin they were sleeping in was engulfed by flames at the Lone Mine 50 Compound in Makwe, Gwanda, in a late-night fire that has sent shockwaves through the mining community.

The incident occurred at approximately 10 pm on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

Confirming the tragic event, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) detailed the grim discovery made by first responders at the scene.

In a statement, the national police spokesperson said the victims’ bodies were recovered from the ruins of the structure.

“The ZRP confirms a fire incident which occurred on 19/03/2026 at around 2200 hours at Lone Mine 50 Compound, Makwe, Gwanda, in which three people died after a cabin they were sleeping in caught fire,” the statement read.

The police further described the severity of the blaze, noting that the intensity of the fire left the victims unidentifiable through physical means.

According to the authorities, the three individuals were burnt beyond recognition, underscoring the ferocity of the inferno that ripped through the small dwelling.

“The victims were burnt beyond recognition, and their bodies were taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem,” the police added.

Sources close to the investigation indicated that the cabin, a typical structure used by mine workers in the area, was completely razed.

Neighbors who rushed to the scene after hearing the commotion found the structure already collapsed, with no chance of rescuing the occupants.

The identities of the deceased have not yet been released pending the completion of post-mortem examinations and formal identification by relatives.

The police have launched a formal inquiry to determine the origin of the fire.

In their official communication, authorities urged the public to remain calm while assuring that a thorough probe is underway.

“Investigations are in progress to establish the cause of the fire,” the police spokesperson reiterated, emphasizing that no conclusions have been drawn regarding whether the fire resulted from an electrical fault, an unattended candle, or other causes common in such residential compounds.

Local residents in Makwe expressed grief and shock over the incident, describing the three victims as members of the close-knit mining community.

The Lone Mine 50 Compound is part of a network of housing facilities provided for workers in the area, where cabin fires, while not frequent, remain a persistent risk due to aging infrastructure and the use of alternative heating sources.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the deceased remain at the Gwanda Provincial Hospital mortuary, where pathologists are expected to conduct post-mortems to assist in the identification process and to provide further details that may aid the police in their investigation.

Authorities have appealed to anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward.