By JULIUS PHIRI? –

A SEVENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD woman has been burnt to death at Saidi Farm in Chipata’s Chiparamba area when fire swept through several houses.
The fire destroyed property worth K15, 000, including four maize storage sheds, four thatched houses and a tobacco shed.
Eastern Province Police chief Grace Chipalila and chief fire officer, Fackson Mbewe confirmed the incident in Chipata yesterday.
The woman identified as Daina Phiri died when another person, Victoria Ngoma, 20, of the same farm was trying to burn red ants which had invaded her house around 21:30 hours on Tuesday.
However, Victoria’s house caught fire and spread to other houses causing extensive damage.
Ms Chipalila explained that Ms Phiri attempted to save her property in the house, but in the process was burnt to death.
She explained that Victoria managed to escape unhurt with her daughter, while another man identified as Chileshe Ngoma was burnt on both hands and the back.
He said the fire brigade managed to save one maize shed from being burnt down.
Meanwhile, Ms Chipalila said two people had died in separate road traffic accidents in Chipata District.
She said the two accidents occured around 14:00 hours and 16:30 hours on Tuesday.
Ms Chipalila said the first accident happened when the driver of a tipper truck belonging to Sable Construction Company, Mesiya Mabo of Masumba Village hit a cyclist Manda Mwale, along Chipata-Mfuwe Road.
She said the cyclist died on the spot and the driver had been detained.
Ms Chipalila said the other accident happened 18 kilometres off Lundazi Road when a Canter truck driven by Malisani Banda 30 hit another cyclist, Martin Phiri of Musatope Farm.
She said the cyclist fell off the bicycle and sustained head injuries. He died on the way to the hospital.