Rye House Fire & Zimbabwean Connection
(PHOTO: 167 Grandview Avenue burning in the early hours this past Saturday. Courtesy Rye Professional Firefighters Local2029.)
In the early hours this past Saturday, a giant nine bedroom, four and a half bathroom home at 167 Grandview Avenue in Rye suffered a massive fire requiring response from multiple local fire departments including Rye, Mamaroneck, Harrison and New Rochelle. A city of Rye notice on the property today says "This building is unsafe. Its use or occupancy has been prohibited".
What is curious, and to date unreported by other media, is the property is owned by the Government of Zimbabwe. And the fire, on September 14th, comes just eight days after the death of Robert Mugabe, the country's longtime and controversial leader. Other records show connections between the property and a Gertrude Chidyausiku, who is related to Boniface Chidyausiku. Boniface Chidyausiku served as Ambassador to the Russian Federation for Zimbabwe from 2011–2015 and before that served as the country's UN rep in New York from 1999 to 2010. Unknown, but it would make sense the home was used as a diplomatic residence.
(PHOTO: Perhaps the prior resident of 167 Grandview Avenue, Boniface Chidyausiku.)
It would then make sense that neighbors told news organizations the property was not cared for recently.
News 12 reported "Officials are investigating the cause of the fire but so far do not believe it is suspicious."
What do you know about the property and its residents? Post a comment below or contact us.
Other photos (courtesy Rye Professional Firefighters Local2029 and Mamaroneck Town FD):
