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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
HWANGE Local Board (HLB) has received a 5 000-litre fire tender from an American based businessman who is set to deliver another one to Gwanda Town Council in two weeks’ time.

The fire tender, which was handed to the local authority last Wednesday, is the first at the local authority which is seeking municipal status.

HLB had no fire brigade department and relied on Hwange Colliery to fight fires.

The businessman, Mr Peter Lobel, who was partnered by Bakers Inn, handed over the fire tender at the HLB offices.

The businessman, who has so far donated18 fire tenders to local authorities around the country, said he was touched by the poor state of equipment for firefighting in local authorities.

Mr Lobel said he started sourcing fire tenders from the United Kingdom in 2011 following the death of General Solomon Mujuru in an inferno.

He said the incident made him realise difficulties faced by local authorities’ in fighting fires.

The vehicle, which can also be used in rescuing accident victims trapped in cars, costs about £15 000s.

He said some of the beneficiaries so far are Kariba, Marondera, Masvingo, Gokwe and Mutare while Gwanda will get one in a fortnight.