Lodge Inemukurumbira Yoparadzwa neMotoELEPHANT Lodge, formerly known as Jamaica Inn and situated about 40 km along the Bulawayo–Gwanda Road, was completely destroyed today in a fire suspected to have started from a nearby veld blaze, according to State media reports.
The lodge, which once hosted the famous UB40 band, caught fire shortly after 2 PM. By late afternoon, the Bulawayo Fire Brigade was still battling the flames, although much of the structure had already been consumed.
Four fire tenders and 20 firefighters were deployed to the scene. Despite their efforts, nothing could be salvaged. The lodge is owned by Mr. Tony Do Santos.
The value of property lost has not yet been established, but observations indicate total destruction. This is the second time the establishment has been gutted by fire, following a similar incident around the same time last year.
The owners have not yet issued a comment on the disaster.
