A RAGING shack fire claimed the lives of six people in Bethelsdorp on Friday night
The fire, which started shortly after 10pm in the Riemvasmaak informal settlement, saw three children and three adults burnt alive in what police have called a "very tragic and horrific" incident.
A relative who attempted to intervene in the fire has been hospitalised at Dora Nzinga Hospital after sustaining burn wounds to his hands and arms.
Residents threw buckets of water on to the shack in an attempt to extinguish the flames but their efforts were in vain .
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said that detectives suspect a paraffin lamp had been knocked over.
"We are not certain as to the exact cause of the fire but we suspect a paraffin lamp was knocked over, causing the fire to spread rapidly," she said.
Police have opened an inquest docket but do not suspect foul play.
Six perish in shack fire
A RAGING shack fire claimed the lives of six people in Bethelsdorp on Friday night
The fire, which started shortly after 10pm in the Riemvasmaak informal settlement, saw three children and three adults burnt alive in what police have called a "very tragic and horrific" incident.
A relative who attempted to intervene in the fire has been hospitalised at Dora Nzinga Hospital after sustaining burn wounds to his hands and arms.
Residents threw buckets of water on to the shack in an attempt to extinguish the flames but their efforts were in vain .
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said that detectives suspect a paraffin lamp had been knocked over.
"We are not certain as to the exact cause of the fire but we suspect a paraffin lamp was knocked over, causing the fire to spread rapidly," she said.
Police have opened an inquest docket but do not suspect foul play.
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