Police have launched investigations into a fire incident in which two minor children were burnt beyond recognition by a fire which was allegedly ignited by petrol and engulfed a shop in which they were sleeping.
The incident occurred on early Sunday morning of April 26 in Mukumbura.
Police confirmed that two male adults sustained burns and are receiving treatment, while property, including a vehicle, was destroyed.
The value of the damage is yet to be determined.
The victims have been identified as 10-year-old Dean and 4-year-old Dwayne.
The house belonging to their father, Doban Vambe, was completely destroyed.
Vambe sustained severe burns while trying to rescue his children and is currently admitted at Mount Darwin District Hospital.
The ZRP is investigating a fatal fire incident which occurred on 26/04/ 2026 at a business centre in Mukumbura.
Two minor children were burnt beyond recognition after a fire, allegedly ignited by petrol, engulfed a shop in which they were asleep.
Two male adults sustained burns and are receiving treatment, while property, including a vehicle, was destroyed.
The value of the damage is yet to be ascertained.
The ZRP urges the public to exercise caution when handling flammable substances and avoid storing such materials in residential or business premises, in order to safeguard lives and property.
According to Mount Darwin District Development Coordinator White Nkoma, the fire started while the father was allegedly serving a client an illegal fuel deal.
Nkoma said the fire started from a fireplace and spread to the petrol that was being sold.
Flames then reached a room where more fuel was stored.
There was also a gas tank in the house.
The fire quickly intensified, triggering a powerful blaze that destroyed the entire house and a kombi parked nearby.
Two minors have died in a tragic fire incident in Mount Darwin, after a house went up in flames near Mukumbura Border Post. Authorities say the blaze is linked to suspected illegal fuel storage.
The victims, identified as 10-year-old Dean and 4-year-old Dwayne, were burnt to death when the inferno engulfed their home in the early hours of Sunday.
The house, belonging to their father, Mr Doban Vambe, was completely destroyed.
Mr Vambe sustained severe burns while attempting to rescue the children and is currently admitted at Mount Darwin District Hospital.
According to Mount Darwin District Development Coordinator, Mr White Nkoma, the fire started while the father was allegedly serving a client as an illegal fuel dealer.
Mr Nkoma said the fire started from a fireplace and spread to the petrol that was being sold.
Flames then reached a room where more fuel was stored. There was also a gas tank in the house.
The fire quickly intensified, triggering a powerful blaze that destroyed the entire house and a kombi parked nearby.
The incident has raised serious concerns over the dangers of illegal fuel trading and storage in residential areas, especially in border communities.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
The Department of Civil Protection is expected to release a full report as authorities continue to warn the public against storing fuel in homes.
