ZESCO says it is still investigating the origin of the fire that gutted eight (8) apartments at Kabwe’s Railways Quarters compound.
The power utility company has however, denied allegations that the fire started from the prepaid meters, saying there was no faulty prepaid meter that was installed in any of the apartments.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS this afternoon, ZESCO Principle Engineer for Kabwe Branch, Bright Mwaipopo said before the incident, the company had never received any verbal or written complaint from the victims indicating that the prepaid meters were faulty.
He said while the company sympathizes with the fire victims on their loss, it also regrets the fact that the victims have decided to put the blame on the prepaid meters even when there is no authentic proof that the fire came from the meters.
He added that preliminary investigations done so far have proved that there was no one in the apartments at the time of the incident and since the entire household property has been engulfed, it is difficult to tell where the fire really came from.
Mr Mwaipopo however, said investigations on the matter are still underway and management will submit a conclusive report to the company headquarters for further scrutiny.
He further advised Kabwe residents to report any notable faults promptly to avoid such incidences in future and also assured the communities where the prepaid meters have been installed that there is no need for alarm as the meters are genuine and safe.
And Kabwe District Commissioner Patrick Chishala said he will lobby for support from the Kabwe business community and other well-wishers in order to assist the fire victims.
Mr Chishala who sympathised with the victims however, urged them to learn from their experiences and move on with their lives even as the matter is being investigated.
Meanwhile, the fire victims are adamant that the fire that destroyed their apartments and damaged their household property came from the prepaid meters.
They alleged that ever since the meters were installed, they have been faulty and they had to this effect, reported to ZESCO on several occasions but that no action was taken by the power company.
The victims who are currently being accommodated by friends and relatives are demanding compensation and one of the victims Christance Chikota insisted that she had been to ZESCO on severally but she received no assistance from the company staff.
On Wednesday, a fire has burnt a block of quarters consisting of eight (8) apartments at Kabwe’s Railways Quarters compound, leaving 11 families homeless.
ZANIS
Can we also investigate why the firemen were not wearing fire resistant overalls and boots and why civilians were allowed to get involved and get so close to a very combustible place?
That is Zambia my friend.Â
Yaba. Fire dept 4th world.
Am disturbed on that pretext because its innespricable that a pre-paid can caurse fire.