BLOEMFONTEIN – The Bloemfontein police have uncovered human remains under the rubble of the fire-gutted commercial building known as Marabastad in St Andrews Street in Bloemfontein’s CBD. This followed an ongoing investigation into the devastating structural fire that occurred on 23 August at about 03:49.

Capt. Loraine Earle, spokesperson for the Free State police, confirmed the grim discovery following further investigation by WO Swannie Swanepoel, a search and rescue dog handler, and his four-year-old Belgian Shepherd, Parco. She said the charred remains were those of a woman and were discovered on Tuesday after the building was declared safe for access and assessment.

NovaNews reported earlier that a female informal trader was missing following the fire that occurred on 23 August. According to sources, she was among a number of people who were apparently sleeping in the building when the fire broke out. It is believed she is originally from Lesotho and had been reported missing from the hawker stalls in Fichardt Street. She has been absent from her stall since the structural fire incident.

“As the search team carefully worked through the rubble, Parco, the highly trained search and rescue dog indicated an area of interest beneath the debris. His handler immediately investigated the indication, leading to the discovery of what appeared to be human remains. The circumstances surrounding the fire and the identity of the deceased are still subject to investigation,” said Earle. She said the remains will be subjected to the necessary forensic processes to establish the identity of the victim.

“The cause of the fire also remains under investigation, and relevant law-enforcement agencies will continue with their respective investigations,” said Earle. She said that, due to the extent of the damage and the unstable condition of the structure, emergency personnel first had to ensure that the building was safe before law-enforcement officials could enter.

Shops in the affected building, “Marabastad,” and those adjacent were forced to close for five days while the authorities, including the police, remain on site as part of the investigation. The fire destroyed some shops operating from the privately owned building while others suffered partial smoke damage. Some informal traders said they also lost their stock to the fire.