Five children died in a shack fire and mother’s arrested. Image: Freepik
Pretoria shack fire: Five children died and mother’s arrested
A fire that destroyed numerous shacks resulted in the tragic deaths of five children, the mothers were out taverns drinking.
Five children died in a shack fire and mother’s arrested. Image: Freepik
At an informal settlement close to Laudium in Pretoria, a fire that destroyed numerous shacks resulted in the tragic deaths of five children.
When firefighters arrived on the scene in the Itireleng informal settlement, they found 5 children who had been burned beyond recognition and ranged in age from 1 to 7 years.
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Their mothers, who are sisters, are said to have abandoned children in one of the shacks while they went to a local pub.
What happened to the mothers of the children?
The victims were three boys, aged two, four and six, and two girls, aged one and seven.
According to Tshwane EMS, their mothers – two sisters – left the children alone in the shack overnight.
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The women allegedly proceeded to a local pub to get drinks.
Police detained the mothers, who were then questioned at a nearby police station.
Ewn reported, according to Charles Mabaso, a spokesperson for Tshwane EMS, “the circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are still under investigation.”
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“We urge parents and other adults who look after children to make sure they are always left in an adult’s care and in a secure setting.”
Similar case
The City of Cape Town fire and Rescue Service confirmed the death of six people in a fire at the Town Two informal settlement in Khayelitsha.
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The city said Saturday’s blaze claimed the lives of three minors and three adults.
According to the city, one adult survivor was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after suffering severe burn wounds.
One person was reported missing after the fire ripped through the informal settlement, destroying five shacks.
