A blaze broke at a house in Netreg street in Bonteheuwel in the early hours of Wednesday morning, claiming the lives of six people and leaving six others homeless. Authorities were called to Netreg Street at around 2am after a fire broke out at three houses.
“Just after 2am this morning, Western Cape Government Emergency Health services (METRO EMS), were informed of three houses that burnt down, as well as an informal structure that was at the back of one of the houses. Four male children and two adult females passed away. The only survivor, an adult female, was rushed to a hospital in Cape Town,” said Metros EMS spokesperson Robert Daniels.
Jonathan Arendse, the uncle of the four boys, aged between two and 12, who died in the blaze says he is devastated. Arendse also says that the fire could have been caused by a candle which toppled over in the house overnight. He adds that the children’s grandmother, the sole survivor is being treated in hospital.
Arendse says that he is heartbroken and simply cannot come to terms with the horrific incident.
“The cause of the blaze is still unknown and under investigation,’’ said Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Liesl Moodie.
The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) said that they will be rendering psycho-social support and other assistance to the remaining family members.
The tragic incident has left the remaining family members and neighbours deeply affected. In this regard, the department has dispatched social workers from the Metro North regional office to conduct trauma and bereavement counselling, to the remaining family, especially to the children.
The DSD Social Relief of Distress programme will also provide any needs of support, such as food, clothing and temporary grant, to assist the family through this tough time.
The MEC of Social Development, Adv. Albert Fritz, will visit the family on Wednesday to express his condolences. VOC (Loushe Jordaan)
