The full horror of a deadly Pretoria West house fire that burnt five family members – including a six-year-old child – began to unfold Wednesday morning.
First responders Tshwane Emergency Services said five family members perished in the blaze in the early hours.
A 45-year-old mother and a three-year-old boy escaped a house fire with minor injuries.
Recounting the tragedy, the Tshwane Emergency Services said they received the call at about 01:30 and immediately dispatched firefighters.
“The first arriving firefighting unit to arrive on the scene found the house fully engulfed by fire, with parts of the roof having collapsed and were informed by bystanders that about five people were still trapped inside the house,” said the Tshwane Emergency Services.
“The information was confirmed by the female patient who escaped the blaze with a minor scratch on the forehead and smoke inhalation.
“She and the child were treated for smoke inhalation and transported to Pretoria West Hospital for further observation.”
Tshwane Emergency Services said two bodies were found soon after firefighters began putting out the fire.
The rest of the bodies were recovered after the fire was extinguished.
“The five deceased included, four males aged 6, 18, 22 and 24 years and a female aged 46 years,” said the Tshwane Emergency Services.
Fire safety officers and law enforcement agencies are investigating the cause of the fire.
