Ntsebeng Motsoeli/Lena
MASERU — Part of Maliba Mountain Lodge, the only five star lodge in Lesotho, was gutted by fire on Thursday morning.
The lodge’s reception area was completely destroyed in the fire that management suspect to have been caused by an electrical fault.
“Our beloved Maliba has been hit with sad news this morning (25/07/2013),” the management said in a statement posted on the lodge’s website on Thursday.
“The main area of the Mountain lodge was damaged in a fire in the early hours of this morning, however, no one was harmed in any way.”
The statement however said all six Mountian rooms and the River lodge were not affected by the fire.
“Our River lodge is fully operational and has not been affected. Our reservations team has been working hard to inform all of our guests,” said the statement.
“Thank you to our staff and guests for the support and we look forward to rebuilding our beautiful reception area.”
Senior Superintendent Mochekoane Nchela of Leribe Police confirmed the incident.
Nchela said the manager of the lodge heard an explosion and when he went to check he discovered that the roof of the reception area had already collapsed.
He said people from nearby villages were called in to assist but they could no do much because the fire had already spread to the rest of the building.
The fire continued until Thursday morning, according to Nchela. Nchela said the police’s fire brigade could not help because the emergency fire vehicle was still being repaired in Maseru.
He said they tried to use the District Council water tank truck but when it arrived the lodge the damage was already done.
“Few things were rescued but lot of things have been damaged,” he highlighted.
Maliba Lodge is situated within the Tsehlanyane National Park in Leribe.
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