A massive fire tore through Bulawayo’s Donnington Industrial Area on Monday night after two fuel tankers, both fully loaded, erupted in flames in what authorities suspect was an illegal fuel siphoning operation gone wrong.
The dramatic incident occurred at the intersection of Goderich Avenue and Masiyephambili Road, directly adjacent to the DA Service Station. According to Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr. Mhlangano Moyo, the blaze quickly escalated due to the highly flammable cargo, triggering a series of powerful explosions that sent shockwaves across surrounding neighborhoods.
Residents in Tshabalala, Nketa, and Bellevue reported hearing thunderous blasts that many initially mistook for an earthquake. In homes closest to the industrial site, the explosions were so intense that window panes were shattered by the force of the shockwaves. Videos circulating on social media show towering flames and thick plumes of smoke lighting up the night sky.
Despite the magnitude of the inferno, authorities have confirmed that no fatalities or injuries were reported — a remarkable outcome given the scale of the explosions and the proximity to a busy service station.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade responded swiftly, dispatching multiple fire tenders to battle the blaze. Firefighters worked for several hours under extremely dangerous conditions to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby fuel infrastructure, which could have triggered an even greater catastrophe.
Mr. Moyo described the scene as “terrible,” noting that the heat intensity and repeated explosions made the operation particularly challenging. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been sparked during an illegal fuel siphoning attempt, though a full investigation is still underway to establish the exact cause.
The incident has once again raised concerns about fuel theft syndicates and the serious risks posed by such illegal operations. Authorities are expected to release further details as investigations continue.
