Intoxicated gardener burns to death after KZN building fire

A 55-year-old gardener from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was burnt beyond recognition after his room which is attached to the main building caught fire on Saturday night, 8 May. 

Private security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and First Responders from several private companies were dispatched to a home on fire in Everest Heights – Verulam discovered the body.

KZN GARDENER KILLED IN HOME FIRE

On their Facebook page, Reaction Unit South Africa said that the incident was reported around 23:00 on Saturday.

According to the homeowner, the gardener who was in her employ for approximately 15 years was last seen at 19:00 on Saturday. He was heavily intoxicated and retired to his room for the night.

“Members of Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) and First Responders from several private companies who were dispatched to a home on fire in Everest Heights – Verulam discovered the body of a 55 year old male burnt beyond recognition.

“Reaction Officers & Paramedics arrived at the scene on Lenina Drive at 23:04. A room attached to the main building was found engulfed in flames & First Responders made several attempts to dose the flames with  garden hoses. The eThekwini Fire Department responded swiftly and extinguished the blaze. A body was discovered inside the building. The cause of the fire has not been established.”

Reaction Unit South Africa

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala said that an inquest docket is being investigated by the Verulam SAPS.

“It is alleged that last night (Saturday) a house caught fire at Verulam and a 55-year-old male was burnt. The circumstances and the cause of fire is yet to be established as investigations are still ongoing.

The South African contacted eThekwini Fire Department for a comment but they could not be reached for a comment at the time of publication.

READ: Itumeleng Khune’s sister killed in tragic house fire in North West“