House fire: baby boy died of smoke inhalation
"He always smiled. No matter how sick he was or if he was in pain."
A baby boy who would have been one year old in September tragically died from smoke inhalation on Thursday 8 August after a rented two-bedroom garden cottage in Bodenstein Street, Krugersdorp North caught alight, possibly because of an electrical overload.
The father, André Loggenberg, his wife Wilma and three-year-old daughter Leandré were also injured and taken to hospital by community members.
Loggenberg sustained second degree burn wounds after running into the cottage to save his son’s life.
His wife received stitches after cutting her hand while trying to break a bedroom window to save her child who was sleeping in his crib.
Loggenberg’s wife Wilma spoke about the events leading to the incident. She told the NEWS that they went to bed after 11pm which was followed by an explosion in the living room.
“When we went to investigate and found our couch on fire which was spreading rapidly.”
They ran out of the cottage and started wetting the house to prevent the fire from spreading further, but it was already too late.
“My husband ran back in to fetch the children, but he was only able to get our daughter. As he got outside the windows of the living room burst into pieces.”
She says the fire and smoke was too much, disabling them from running back into the house.
“We tried breaking down the burglar bars from the main bedroom where our boy was sleeping, but we were unable to do so.”
Wilma says after she yelled for help the community responded swiftly and helped them by breaking down a door that was the entrance to their bedroom.
“After the door was opened my husband ran into the bedroom to fetch our son, but it was too late as he came out with his lifeless body.”
She says the autopsy indicates that he died from smoke inhalation.
The Loggenberg’s says they will remember his smiles.
“He always smiled. No matter how sick he was or if he was in pain; he would always look at you with his big pretty blue eyes and smile.”
His grandfather Johan Nel says his grandchild was put on earth for a short period to be able to show the adults that no matter what difficulties you face there is always a way to face your challenges.
All of their belongings were destroyed in the fire, as well as their car got damaged.
The owner of the property who was not there at the time of the incident says that he is also not sure how the fire started and that it will be investigated by the fire department.
“I was contacted and told that the place is burning. Immediate neighbours came and tried to stop the fire but it was too late to salvage anything.”
He says it took some time before the fire department arrived at the premises.
“Everything in the cottage was burnt to ashes and the community took the injured to hospital.”
He says he has empathy with the victims as it is not easy being in a situation like this.
He also confirmed that the building is insured.
Gerhardt Nieuwoudt, the Regional Commander for the Emergency Medical Services for the West Rand District Municipality says that the fire department was on scene within seven minutes.
“We received the call at about 11.23pm and was on scene at about 23.30pm. On arrival the children and father had been transported to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle.”
He says the fire was brought under control quickly.
The Loggenberg’s would like to thank everyone who helped them during their hour of need.
“We would also like to thank the two ambulance personnel who transferred our daughter. They were really professional in their work by walking the extra mile with us.”
The boy was buried at the Sterkfontein Cemetery on Saturday 17 August.
If anyone would like to get in touch with the family in any way please contact Wilma on 072 793 0075 or her mother on 084 413 9698.
