MUTARE – A fire destroyed two classroom blocks at Hartzel High School near Mutare on Saturday.

A Fire Brigade crew from Mutare battled the blaze and stopped it from spreading to other buildings.

The cause of the fire, which broke out mid-morning, was yet to be established although an electrical fault is suspected.

Shocked teachers and pupils – who managed to save some of the furniture – watched the raging inferno destroy the historic buildings at one of Zimbabwe’s top schools.

Up in smoke … Decades old buildings at Hartzel High School in Mutare on fire
Helpless … Pupils watch the fire as it rages through a classroom block at the school

 

Lloyd Mujaho, the team leader of the Fire Brigade, said there was no saving the two classroom blocks by the tie they arrived.

“We had major challenges getting water at the school, there’re no fire hydrants. We however managed to put out the blaze and stopped the fire from spreading,” Mujaho said.

Up in smoke … Teachers watching the school blaze on Saturday
Salvage mission … Pupils and teachers managed to save some furniture before the fight spread