In what can only be described as an horrific act, a 53-year-old Welkom woman doused herself and her teenage daughter with petrol, and then set them alight.
The woman died in the flames and her daughter has been admitted to hospital. She has 64 % second-degree burns to her face, hands and thighs. She is currenlty in ICU, Welkom Medic-clinic.
On Wednesday 18 June at about 15:29 the emergency services of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality responded to a building on fire in Milner Road, Welkom.
Francois Klaassen of the Welkom Fire Brigade says the fire was at Villa Gino’s flats.
“Apon arrival on the scene, it was brought under the attention of the crew that there was a person in flat 2 who was fully engulfed with flames. A child that was also in the flat was treated by the ambulance services and transported to the hospital. When the flames were under control they proceeded with search and rescue and found the body of a person inside,” says Klaassen.
Capt. Loraine Earle, spokesperson for the Free State SAPS, confirms the incident in which the woman died, and the daughter was severely injured.
The teenage girl, the daughter of the deceased, sustained severe burn wounds and was transported to hospital for urgent medical care, says Earle.
“Preliminary allegations suggest that the woman doused both herself and her daughter with a flammable substance before setting them alight. The exact circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are currently under investigation. A fire investigation dog handler is on site today (19 June) to assist in determining the cause and sequence of events.”
At this stage, the identities of both the deceased and the injured cannot be released in order to protect the identity of the teenage victim.
St Dominic’s College, the school which the injured teenager attends, has put out an appeal on Facebook, asking for donations to help the family.
The post reads that it is with deep sadness that they share news of a tragic fire at the home of one of their high school pupils. “The pupil’s mother sadly passed away, and the pupil is currently in ICU with serious injuries. The family has lost everything. We are appealing to our community for help,” reads the post.
The items needed could include teenage girls’ shoes, size 4 (closed), size 3 (open) and size 6. Clothing sizes are 32, 34 and 36. Also, men’s clothing: tops, XL; pants, medium (jeans size 36); and shoe size 8.
Household Items like crockery and cutlery, electrical appliances, beds and furniture, bedding and pillows can also be donated, as well as toiletries and towels. Donations can be delivered to the high school office.
“Let’s stand together in love and support. Your kindness can help rebuild a life.
Please keep the family in your prayers,” the school requests.
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