Staff Reporter.
Five family members tragically died in an early morning house fire that enveloped their home in Mount Anderson Street in Kirkney, Pretoria West, on Wednesday.
Three men, aged 18, 22 and 24 as well as a six-year-old boy and a 46-year-old woman lost their lives.
The incident occurred around 01:30 when a fire swept through the family’s home.
A mother (45) and her toddler (3) managed to escape the fire with minor injuries. They were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation and taken to Pretoria West hospital for further observation.
The Tshwane Emergency Services received a call at approximately 01:30 and dispatched firefighting resources to the incident, said Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso.
“The first firefighting unit to arrive on the scene found the house fully engulfed by fire, with parts of the roof having collapsed. They were informed by bystanders that about five people were still trapped inside the house,” said Mabaso.
Shortly after arriving, firefighters discovered two bodies. The rest of the bodies were discovered once the fire was extinguished, said Mabaso.
The cause of the fire is still a subject of investigation by fire safety officers and law enforcement agencies.