Watch video: Traffic diverted as firefighters dous...

Watch video: Traffic diverted as firefighters douse fuel tanker on Kirkman

Firefighters keeping the scene secure after speedily responding to report of a tanker on fire

Zim Now Writer

The City of Harare Fire Department responded quickly to avert disaster after a fuel tanker caught fire this afternoon near the National Sport Stadium along Kirkman Road.

Watch video https://youtube.com/shorts/41E59MyaVrg?feature=share

“They were on the spot in less than 30 minutes. It was a relief to see them come and put out the fire so quickly as we were all holding our breaths that there might be a disaster with a ZESA substation so nearby,” said eyewitness Baba Manyika who works near the spot where the tanker caught fire.

According to Baba Manyika and other witnesses, there was nothing to suggest that the tanker was in trouble until it burst into flame around 4pm this afternoon. The witnesses said the vehicle was a diesel carrier.

“There was a blast as the truck went up that incline and then we noted the flames on top of the truck,” said Baba Manyika.

“It’s difficult to explain what happened. The best I can say is that the first indication of a problem was when we saw the tanker burning. There were flames on top,” one of the witnesses who did not want to be identified said.

When Zim Now arrived at the scene about an hour after the fire broke out the two fire tenders were on the scene with male and female firefighters dousing the tanker and its smoking environs. No flames were visible and the situation was under the control.

City of Harare spokesperson Innocent Ruwende referred Zim Now to senior personnel in the Fire Department who, in turn, said they would only comment when final investigations into the cause of the fire had been established and quantified.

National Police Spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Paul Temba Nyathi said his office was yet to be furnished with details of the incident.

Another senior officer in the traffic section who asked to remain anonymous advised motorists to use alternative routes to avoid delays in getting to their respective destinations.

Drivers moving towards Harare Drive has started diverting through the National Sports Stadium and Sherwood Drive.

Zim Now is still awaiting official comment on the incident.

A number of people have died in separate incidents around the country after fuel ferrying haulage trucks caught fire.