Shelley Point Hotel of fire. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Four workers perish in KwaZulu-Natal factory fire
The bodies of four employees who perished in an alleged factory fire in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal are yet to be found.
Shelley Point Hotel of fire. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Four people were killed in a factory fire on Eagle Road in Missionlands, KwaZulu-Natal.
Skeletal remains were discovered by family and friends of the deceased workers on Saturday, 2 March.
FOUR WORKERS PERISH IN KWAZULU-NATAL FACTORY FIRE
According to private security, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) received a call for assistance after the family and friends of the deceased workers formed a search party after they failed to return home after their shift.
RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram said Reaction officers and paramedics were immediately dispatched.
On arrival, officers confirmed the discovery was human remains.The eThekwini Fire & Rescue Services arrived shortly after locating two more bodies.
“According to relatives of the deceased, nine Malawian nationals were working the night shift at the furniture manufacturing business when the fire broke out at approximately 23:30 on Friday.
“All exits and entrances were allegedly locked by their employer at the start of their shift, preventing the men from escaping the inferno. The survivors provided this information and could not be confirmed by Reaction Officers,” Balram explained.
Five employees reportedly jumped out of windows from the upper level of the building. They escaped with minor injuries.
INVESTIGATIONS ARE ONGOING
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal Nqobile Gwala said the four bodies have not been found.
Gwala said an inquiry had been opened at Verulam SAPS, and investigations are ongoing.
