Six people, including three young children, died in a shack fire in the Moeggesukkel Informal Settlement in Kariega during the early hours of this morning, November 24.
Just before 01:00, police attended to the complaint of the fire. Upon arrival, the shack was completely gutted. It is alleged that it was loadshedding and the family went to sleep, leaving a candle burning.
The mother woke up when the shack had already started burning. The woman and her husband managed to escape through a window, however, the remaining six people could not get out in time.
Police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, said that the neighbours assisted in dousing the flames with buckets of water while waiting for the fire department to arrive.
The couple’s 3-year-old son, Asciwalise Ngqina, and daughters, Asipile (6) and Ibanathi (11) died in the fire.
“Three other adults aged between 22 and 48 years who were also in the house, died. Their names are yet to be established and their next-of-kin traced,” Naidu said.
“The mother of the children sustained burn wounds to both her arms and hands. She was treated at the scene by paramedics while the father sustained burn wounds on his face and arms. He was taken to hospital for further treatment,” she said.
Police have opened an inquest docket for investigation.
“Police are urging residents to be extra cautious when using alternate lighting during loadshedding. Candles, gas and primus stoves must be switched off before going to bed. The use of these type of lighting must be constantly checked to avoid situations such as this tragic incident,” Naidu said.
