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A burning car

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
AN 83-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo’s Matsheumhlope suburb was burnt to death inside his car yesterday.

Michael Gardner’s car, a Nissan X-trail, was reduced to a shell when it caught fire as he attempted to drive out of his yard.

A fire brigade crew and police attended the scene.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said police were investigating the sudden death.

Mr Gardner’s gardener, Mr Milton Nyoni, said the incident happened at about 2PM as they were preparing to leave the house.

Mr Nyoni said Mr Gardner could hardly walk but was still driving himself.

“We wanted to go to Ascot Shopping centre to buy an electricity token. I assisted him to get into the car and left to open the main gate.

‘‘I became curious when he took too long to come and a few seconds later I heard a loud bang. I ran to check thinking he had crashed the vehicle,” said Mr Nyoni.

He said as he approached the car he realised that it was in flames.

Mr Nyoni said he tried to get to his employer but the fire had already engulfed the vehicle.

“I dashed out to seek assistance from neighbours who called the fire brigade but it was already too late. We tried to put out the fire using a hosepipe connected to the tap but our efforts were in vain,” said Mr Nyoni.

He said Mr Gardner was partially paralysed and was being assisted to walk.

“This is very painful because I have worked for him for five years. I don’t know what to do now that he is gone. His wife is in Harare while his children are in South Africa,” he said.

Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Richard Peterson said it was too early to say what caused the fire.

@nqotshili