Hendrina shack fire claims lives of two sets of twins
He said the mother and the 17-year-old were taken to hospital in Middelburg as they are in a state of shock.
HENDRINA – Two sets of twins aged eight and 13 were burnt to death in a shack fire in the Marikana Informal Settlement in the early hours of July 4.
According to information provided, the police were called out to the scene. The children were certified dead upon their arrival.
A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the police had not yet verified the cause of the fire, but loose cables were visible on the ground, which prompted a suspicion that they might have been illegal connections.
“It is alleged that the mother (33) of the deceased, an undocumented Mozambican national, left the children in the care of their brother (17) three days ago. The fire was already raging when the brother tried to save the kids, but he was unsuccessful,” Mohlala said.
He said the mother and the 17-year-old were taken to hospital in Middelburg as they are in a state of shock.
The police have registered an inquest and investigations into the case continue.
*** Highevelder previously reported three children died in the fire, according to information provided by a provincial police spokesperson, two sets of twins died. Highvelder apologises for any confusion this may have caused.
