A mother escaped with serious burns while four children died when a shack caught fire at the informal settlement of Thole, Thaba Nchu, this morning.
According to police spokesperson, Thandi Mbambo, local residents alerted the police of the incident at around 1:00 am after the victim went to ask for help.
Mbambo says police are trying to determine if any foul play was involved.
“Our preliminary investigation detected that paraffin could have been used to start the fire. We are still busy at the scene right now, trying to detect whether it started on the inside or on the outside. We’ve registered a case of arson for further investigation. We are also looking for the boyfriend of the victim.
“We believe he could be able to help us crack this case,” she says.
The victim’s children were aged five and seven, while the other two children were nine-year-olds sleeping over while their mother was in labor at hospital. Their father was also at work at the time.
The woman was transported to Moroka Hospital.
Mbambo asks anyone who knows about the boyfriend’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or contact their nearest police station.
Moeketsi Mogotsi/Courant News
