A man aged between 25 and 30 is fighting for his life in Chama District Hospital in Eastern Province after suffering severe burns in a fire incident at Kabanana Village, in Chama.
The incident occurred around 22:00 hours on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the venue of the District’s annual Agriculture and Commercial Show.
 Eastern Province Police Commissioner, Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, saying police received a phone call at about 22:30 hours from Dalitso Chavula, 35, of Kabanana Village, reporting that an unknown man had been burnt in a grass fence fire.
Police officers who rushed to the scene found the victim lying unconscious after members of the public had pulled him from the burning structure.
The victim was later identified as Zayelo Botha of Katangalika Village, also under Chief Kambombo.
Mr Mweemba said the victim sustained severe burns to his entire body and was rushed to Chama District Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
“After the agricultural show, some people remained at the venue drinking alcohol. It is believed that the victim, who was allegedly intoxicated, fell asleep inside a grass shelter that had been used as a restaurant,” he said.
Police suspect that an unknown person later set the grass fence on fire, causing the flames to spread to the shelter where the victim was sleeping.
Due to his drunken condition, he is believed to have been unable to escape.
Members of the public rescued the victim from the fire before alerting the police.
Police have since launched investigations to establish who started the fire.
