A four-year-old boy died in a house fire along Queen Street this morning (June 22).

According to Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services media liaison William Ntladi, firefighters from the Brakpan Fire Station were alerted to the blaze at exactly 08:01.

“It was reported to be well alight with an entrapment. On arrival, part of the roof had already collapsed. Flames were threatening nearby structures,” he said.

The flames were extinguished, and the body of the boy was found in one of the two bedrooms in the house.

“Unfortunately, during search, rescue and recovery, we discovered the body of a four-year-old-boy under the rubble,” said Ntladi.

He was declared dead on the scene by paramedics,

The child’s parents and two-year-old sibling suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation, while a neighbour sustained a minor laceration to the right hand.

“Both parents, the sibling and the neighbour were transported by ambulance to a medical facility for further treatment,” said Ntladi.

“The scene has been handed over to SAPS for further investigation, and for the removal of the body to an appropriate pathological facility.”