WHAT started as a normal afternoon in Zingalume area of George compound ended in the worst imaginable tragedy after a fire swept through a home ending the life of two year old Adasa Kabwe.
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The child was left sleeping peacefully on the sofa whilest her parents Moses Kabwe and Mary Nkamba were outside the house when the flames erupted suddenly and too firerce for anyone to reach the sleeping toddler ahead of
time.
The scene was covered in thick smoke as neighbours came together with buckets of water to put out the flames in an attempt to save the little girl and stop the fire from completely gutting the home.
According to authorities, the fire which erupted at 16:40 hours was reported to the Lusaka City Council (LCC) emergency department at 17:41 hours and the team arrived on scene 14 minutes later but unfortunately it was too late as neighbours had already dealt with the situation.
But before the fire brigade team could conduct a thorough check, the residents began to act violently and hostile towards them leading them to flee the scene before the situation escalated.
The council has described this to be one of the most heartbreaking incidents recorded in recent months
LCC public relations officer Chola Mwamba expressed disappointment in the behaviour of residents towards the fire responders saying, their behaviour not only hindered investigations but also puts the lives of people at risk including the lives of the emergency team who are only there to offer proffesional help.
Mwamba said the damage caused on the material items and the house itself is partial compared to the emotional dent left especially on the parents.
“We are urging all community members to allow emergency teams to do their job of saving lives and preventing distaters,” she said
“As the council we will remain committed to protecting life and property but it is only achievable with the help of the public.”
By Dorica Kapwaya
Kalemba December 2, 2025
