Residents of Phase 7 in Bloemspruit awoke to tragedy over the weekend when a devastating shack fire claimed the lives of a mother and her two children. The local police are investigating an inquest following the tragic shack fire on 22 March.
According to a statement from the office of the provincial commissioner in the Free State, officers responded to a complaint of an inquest in Phase 7. The police arrived at 02:45 to find that the shack had been destroyed by fire.
Paramedics declared the 43-year-old mother and her two children, aged 8 and 3 years old, deceased on the scene.
“Preliminary investigations alleged that the fire may have been caused by a candle that was left burning in another room of the shack, where the elder son usually sleeps,” said the police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli.
It is alleged that the eldest son was not present at the time the fire started. “Upon his return, the fire was already well underway and he raised the alarm. Neighbours attempted to extinguish the fire using buckets of water, but the flames were too intense.”
The Bloemspruit police therefore opened an inquest for further investigation.
“The SAPS is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” Kareli concluded.
Compiled by Gypseenia Lion
