Five perish in a house fire in Ndwedwe

Five people were killed in a fire at a home in Ndwedwe in Kwazulu Natal.

The Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Operations Center received multiple calls from residents of Nthabeni requesting assistance after they found the house engulfed in flames. One caller also informed the Operator that people were trapped in the home and they could be heard screaming for help.

Reaction Officers and Paramedics were immediately dispatched to the location and upon arrival found the South African Police in attendance. The residence was completely engulfed in flames. Members of the public were attempting to force their way into the home by breaking windows and attempting to remove burglar bars however the fire was too intense. It was also confirmed that a tuck shop was being run from the home where paraffin, diesel & petrol was also being sold.

The Ethekwini Fire Department arrived on scene and Firemen battled the blaze. Once contained hydraulic tools were used to pry open a solid security gate before Firemen entered the home and recovered the bodies of a 45-year-old male and four children aged between thirteen and sixteen. All the bodies were recovered in the same room.

Circumstances as to how the fire had started has not been confirmed at this stage.