A man who was rescued from a burning house, allegedly set alight by his wife on Saturday (12 March), passed away yesterday (16 March).

According to Sergeant Barbara-Anne Ferreira, spokesperson for Norkem Park SAPS, the man died in hospital.

“The complainant alleged that upon arrival on scene of the burning house, she spoke to a woman who said that she set the house on fire and hoped her husband burned to death,” said Ferreira on the day of the incident.

The deceased was allegedly found lying on the floor inside the burning house and dragged to safety. He was treated on scene before being transported to hospital.

Ferreira said the man sustained serious burn wounds and suffered from smoke inhalation.

Two dogs, who were allegedly locked inside the house at the time it was set alight, did not survive the incident.

The woman was arrested on charges of arson and attempted murder, but the charge of attempted murder has changed to murder following the man’s death.

“The suspect appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday (March 14). As police, we asked for the bail application to be postponed for further investigation. The bail application will take place on March 29 and she remains in custody,” Ferreira said.