Qacha’s Nek, April 27 — A one-room rental house in Motse-Mocha, Qacha’s Nek, has been reduced to ashes following a fire believed to have been caused by an electric iron left plugged in by two Grade 8 and 9 pupils from Ha Molalanyane.
The incident is reported to have occurred after the learners forgot to switch off the iron amid ongoing and unpredictable power cuts affecting the district.
Initial reports indicate that the appliance had been left on a bed with the switch still on. When electricity was later restored, the iron is believed to have overheated, sparking a fire.
The blaze broke out at around 2:30 p.m. while light rain was falling.
Speaking to the Lesotho News Agency, a witness, Mr Thapelo Rantle, said he was at a nearby house, less than 100 metres away, when he noticed smoke.
“At first, we thought children who usually play there had burnt something,” he said. “We continued with our activities, but the smoke did not stop.”
He added that passing schoolchildren also noticed the smoke, prompting a closer inspection.
“When we looked closely, we realised it was coming from one of the rental rooms, and it was getting thicker and darker. That is when we realised something was wrong. The black smoke was coming from the electrical cable area, and it was already burning despite the rain,” he said.
Mr Rantle said he rushed to the scene, where he found three women and several children already gathered…
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