3 feared dead in Chitipa petrol bomb

At least three people have died in a fire accident suspected to have been a petrol bomb, Nyasa Times has learnt.

Three others, who sustained fatal injuries, were immediately rushed to Chitipa district hospital for treatment.

Chitipa police publicist Sergeant Gladwell Simwaka confirmed the accident.

“It is true,” he said. “Three people are feared dead and three others have been rushed to hospital after they sustained serious injuries in the inferno.”

Simwaka said they were still “investigating” the cause of the fire,

But sources told Nyasa Times that the fire was triggered by smoke that emanated from a cigarette one of the residents in the house was smoking.

“They were about ten jerry canes of petrol and diesel in the house. One of them was smoking a cigarette and the smoke resulted into the petrol bomb,” said our source.

The source added that the inferno, which occurred around Chitipa Boma, affected seven other surrounding houses.

Chitipa is one of the remotest districts in Malawi and people have scanty access to filling stations.

As a result vendors, who usually get fuel from neighbouring Tanzania, keep fuel in their homes.