*Fire Guts Midlands Hotel Room in Gweru, No Injuries Reported* A fire broke out at the Midlands Hotel in Gweru on Friday evening, destroying property and reducing a guest room to ashes in an incident authorities say was likely caused by an electrical fault. The blaze, which started around 7pm, prompted an emergency response from the Gweru City Council Fire Brigade, who battled the flames and prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the hotel. While no injuries or fatalities were recorded, the affected room and its contents—beds, clothing, and personal belongings—were completely destroyed. Chief Fire Officer Felix Muguti confirmed that the fire is suspected to have been sparked by an electric water-heating kettle that was possibly left on unattended. “We received a distress call just after 7pm. When we arrived at the scene, we found that the stairwell doors were locked, so we had to use ladders to access the first floor. We also had to break through the ceiling to contain the blaze, which had started spreading,” Muguti told Great Dyke News. Residents and tenants at the hotel expressed relief that the fire was swiftly brought under control, praising the fire department for its prompt and effective response. “I was genuinely worried for my belongings, but I’m thankful the situation was handled quickly. Things could have been much worse,” said one tenant. Another added: “It was terrifying, but I’m grateful no one was hurt, and that the fire brigade responded so fast.” In the aftermath, the Civil Protection Department issued a cautionary advisory, urging members of the public to exercise vigilance when using electrical appliances during the winter season, particularly in residential and hospitality establishments.