|
|
|
|
|
8 September 2023
|
Five children perish in Itireleng informal settlement fire near Laudium, Pretoria
|
|
|
The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department responded to an incident where five children died when about six shacks were ravaged by a fire in Itireleng informal settlement near Laudium in Pretoria in the early hours on Sunday, 27 August 2023. Deputy chief Charles Mabaso, public information and liaison officer for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services, said that the incident was reported at approximately 04h26am.
“Firefighters arrived on the scene to find multiple shacks engulfed by fire and immediately started with firefighting operations. Five remains of children burnt beyond recognition were discovered in the ruins of the shacks after the fire was extinguished. The five children, three boys aged two, four and six and two girls aged one year five months and seven years of age belonged two sisters, said Mabaso.
Two mothers arrested
He added, “It is alleged that the two sisters left the children in one shack overnight and went out to drink at a nearby tavern. At the time of releasing the statement, the sisters were under police arrest and taken to a local police station for questioning. “
“The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are still under investigation. We call upon parents and caregivers to ensure that children are always left under the care of an adult and in a safe environment”, said Mabaso.
The five children who died were left without adult supervision by their mothers who had gone drinking at a tavern.
This was revealed by an aunt of three of the five children, Johanna Masangwane, who broke down as she spoke about Sunday morning’s tragedy.
The charred bodies of the children were found hugging each other in death.
Source: Deputy chief Charles Mabaso, public information and liaison officer for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services
“Firefighters arrived on the scene to find multiple shacks engulfed by fire and immediately started with firefighting operations. Five remains of children burnt beyond recognition were discovered in the ruins of the shacks after the fire was extinguished. The five children, three boys aged two, four and six and two girls aged one year five months and seven years of age belonged two sisters, said Mabaso.
Two mothers arrested
He added, “It is alleged that the two sisters left the children in one shack overnight and went out to drink at a nearby tavern. At the time of releasing the statement, the sisters were under police arrest and taken to a local police station for questioning. “
“The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are still under investigation. We call upon parents and caregivers to ensure that children are always left under the care of an adult and in a safe environment”, said Mabaso.
The five children who died were left without adult supervision by their mothers who had gone drinking at a tavern.
This was revealed by an aunt of three of the five children, Johanna Masangwane, who broke down as she spoke about Sunday morning’s tragedy.
The charred bodies of the children were found hugging each other in death.
Source: Deputy chief Charles Mabaso, public information and liaison officer for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services
