FIRE swept through a dormitory at Saint Monica’s Girls Secondary school in Chipata this morning, destroying property worth millions of Kwacha.
Provincial Education Officer, Pilila Jere and school Head Teacher, Arthur Sakala, confirmed the development in Chipata today.
A ZANIS spot check revealed that four hundred and fifteen mattresses, 17 single beds and four single bankers were destroyed in the inferno which started around 02: 00 hours today.
In an interview with ZANIS, Mr. Sakala said 51 Asbestos iron sheets were also destroyed while 45 window panes were broken and 26 metal lockers were also damaged.
Meanwhile, sources at the school said the fire was noticed by a security guard who immediately alerted school authorities who later called the fire brigade.
The sources narrated that in the process of quenching the fire, the fire engine ran out of water and it had to go to Lutembwe Dam to draw water to continue putting off the fire.
And Mr. Sakala observed that the school was worried especially that pupils will be reporting back for lessons in two weeks time, adding that, there was no money to replace the burnt mattresses and repair the damaged building.
Mr. Sakala said from the assessment made, over K 200 million is needed to bring back the situation to normal, saying, pupils will find it difficult to sleep as the school which was already faced with the shortage of dormitories.
Meanwhile, Provincial Education Officer, Pilila Jere, said her office will sit down with school authorities to see the way forward.
ZANIS
From speculation I would say it’s jealousy or spite. You cannot put two women in one room for three months, let alone 20 or more it’s bound to go down you know it’s a fuse always lit but burns slow. Then it could also be an electrical fault.
number 1
what the heck are you talking about the school is on recess and pupils are in their homes.what jealous?does it pain to reason please yaba bantu benangu…
# 2, YOU MADE ME LAUGH- LOL For sure we need to read before we just jump to writing ha ha ha. Forgive # 1, ok.
Hope RB can help the school, or other business men around that place.
Zambian in Diaspora forgive me, forgot the school times and when or where children in Zambia are this time of year. Was bored so I commented, lol did not mean any malice.