A 21-year-old man was burnt beyond recognition, and a woman was seriously injured in a shack fire at Main Road in Mfuleni on Friday, 10 July.

Mfuleni shack fire breaks out after 06:00

The deceased’s mother, Siziwe Mnyande, who was sleeping over at a friend’s place when the flames started, said she was informed by neighbours. She said the fire broke out after 06:00.

“I was sleeping at my friend’s place just a few streets away from my place. My neighbours came to tell me my shack was on fire. When I arrived, community members were already trying to extinguish the flames. My dad managed to escape unharmed. My niece sustained burns on her back and my child was still inside,” said Mnyande, adding that the community was unable to rescue him.

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Mother discovers son perished in the blaze

She said his body was discovered after the flames were extinguished.

She said all she needs is assistance to bury her son. The heartbroken mother said she lost everything in the fire, including her documents.

“I don’t know where to start. I am left with only the clothes I’m wearing. I’m unemployed and I don’t even have funeral cover. I’m appealing to anyone who can assist me to bury my child in a dignified manner,” said Mnyande.

City Fire & Rescue Service response

City’s Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said that at around 06:10 on Friday, 10 July, the Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to informal structures alight in Main Road, Mfuleni.

He said crews from Mfuleni and Lansdowne were on scene.

“Firefighters extinguished the blaze by 07:40. Two informal structures and a container were destroyed. A female sustained burn wounds and was taken to a nearby medical facility. At approximately 06:35, the body of an adult male was located beneath the debris. He had sustained fatal burn wounds,” said Carelse.

The cause of the incident is unknown.