THE cause of the mysterious fire that killed three children at an orphanage in Hartbeespoort in North West is still unknown.
The siblings, Lawrence Khoza, 14 and Norman Khoza, 9, as well as Given Matlala, 7, were killed on Tuesday while they were sleeping in a wooden children's house at the Jedidiah Safe Haven.
The centre is a temporary shelter for orphans and abused children
The children died at about 9pm on Tuesday in the fire.
The wooden house was placed next to a camper in which their caretakers lived and slept.
According to one of the caretakers, Alphosina Sibanda, she was awakened by a loud crackling and roaring noise. To her shock she saw a massive fire through the windows of the camper. She immediately woke up her roommate, Veronica Mhlanga, to go and assist.
The two raced to the wooden house. They were unable to open the door because the fire had become an inferno.
Meanwhile centre owner Rob Bentley had arrived on the scene from the main house.
According to one of the centre members, Chris More, Bentley's attempt to break open the door were ineffective because by that time the inferno was raging beyond control.
Other helpers came through to battle the fire, but it was too late. The building had been razed to the ground.
The police, fire brigade and ambulances were called. Police investigations are going on.
Counsellors from the North West department of social development assisted the children.
The department's MEC, Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi, visited the centre yesterday. She advised parents and guardians to send children to the place of safety as a last resort.
Probe as fire claims lives of three boys
THE cause of the mysterious fire that killed three children at an orphanage in Hartbeespoort in North West is still unknown.
The siblings, Lawrence Khoza, 14 and Norman Khoza, 9, as well as Given Matlala, 7, were killed on Tuesday while they were sleeping in a wooden children's house at the Jedidiah Safe Haven.
The centre is a temporary shelter for orphans and abused children
The children died at about 9pm on Tuesday in the fire.
The wooden house was placed next to a camper in which their caretakers lived and slept.
According to one of the caretakers, Alphosina Sibanda, she was awakened by a loud crackling and roaring noise. To her shock she saw a massive fire through the windows of the camper. She immediately woke up her roommate, Veronica Mhlanga, to go and assist.
The two raced to the wooden house. They were unable to open the door because the fire had become an inferno.
Meanwhile centre owner Rob Bentley had arrived on the scene from the main house.
According to one of the centre members, Chris More, Bentley's attempt to break open the door were ineffective because by that time the inferno was raging beyond control.
Other helpers came through to battle the fire, but it was too late. The building had been razed to the ground.
The police, fire brigade and ambulances were called. Police investigations are going on.
Counsellors from the North West department of social development assisted the children.
The department's MEC, Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi, visited the centre yesterday. She advised parents and guardians to send children to the place of safety as a last resort.
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