Tshwane EMS Firetruck. Image: Tshwane Emergency Services Department
Five children, burnt beyond recognition
Five children burnt to death after their mothers leave them alone to go drinking at a tavern overnight in Pretoria
Tshwane EMS Firetruck. Image: Tshwane Emergency Services Department
Five children have perished in a shack fire at an informal settlement near Laudium in Pretoria.
MOTHERS LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED
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According to Tshwane Emergency Medical Services, the children where left alone overnight while their mothers went out drinking at a nearby tavern.
Emergency services responded to a call of multiple shacks which were on fire at around 4:30am on Sunday morning and immediately began firefighting operations.
In one shack, firefighters made the gruesome discovery of the children’s bodies, which were burnt beyond recognition.
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TWO SISTERS BEHIND BARS
The children, three boys aged two, four and six and two girls aged one and seven belonged to two sisters.
The sisters have since been arrested and are being questioned at a local police station.
Tshwane EMS spokesperson Charles Mabaso says the cause of the fire is yet unknown and has pleaded with parents to always leave underaged children under the supervision of an adult.
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“The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are still under investigation. We call upon parents and caregivers to ensure that children are always left under the care of an adult and in a safe environment,” Mabaso said.
