A six-month-old baby has died after being trapped in a house fire in Solwezi, after his mother allegedly left him and two other children alone in the house overnight.
The tragedy happened in Kyawama Compound between the night of September 7 and the early hours of September 8, 2026.
Zambia Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi say the mother, 30-year-old Christine Welele, left the house around 22:00 hours, leaving her three children ,a 13 year old, a seven year old and the six month old infant without adult supervision.
The fire is believed to have started in the bedroom before spreading to the rest of the house.When the mother returned in the early hours, the house had been completely gutted by the fire.
While the two older children managed to escape, the six month old, identified as Mapesho Chikumba, could not get out.
Police and firefighters who rushed to the scene found the infant on a bed with severe burn injuries and confirmed him dead. His body has been deposited at Solwezi General Hospital mortuary, awaiting a postmortem.
Police have since detained the mother to facilitate investigations, with an inquiry file opened into the incident.
Meanwhile, police in Kalumbila are investigating the murder of a 43-year-old woman, Nsoche Zulu, whose body was discovered in her bathroom.
Zulu was found lying face down at her residence in Kalumbila Housing after she failed to report for work and could not be reached by phone. Police say she had deep cuts on her back, facial injuries and burn marks on her body.
Preliminary investigations have identified a male acquaintance, Andrew Sinyenga, who had reportedly travelled from Lusaka to visit Zulu.
The two were seen together returning from the market on September 6 before entering the deceased’s house.
Sinyenga has since gone missing and is being sought by police to assist with investigations.
Police are appealing to anyone with information that could help locate him to report to the nearest police station or contact the police on 9010 or 9011.
By Mulenga Chipampe Makasa
