A devastating house fire has claimed the lives of a mother and her three young children in Sebokeng Zone 12.

According to Sedibeng Ster, their home caught fire in the early hours of yesterday (June 20) while the family of five was asleep inside.

According to information at Ster’s disposal, the 46-year-old mother woke her husband after suspecting something was wrong and alerted him that the house was on fire.

The 39-year-old man reportedly believed the problem could have been an electrical fault and attempted to investigate.

However, as he moved towards the main electrical switch, a massive flame erupted inside the house, rapidly engulfing parts of the residence.

Children trapped

The couple’s three children, including two boys aged nine and six and their five-year-old sister, were trapped in their bedroom.

It is reported that the children died due to smoke inhalation before they could escape.

The mother also lost her life inside the house, while her husband managed to flee through the kitchen and survived the raging flames.

Emergency services were summoned to the scene, but it was too late to save the four victims.

Police investigation underway

Sebokeng SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Nthabiseng Mokhachane confirmed that police have opened an inquest docket.

“An investigation is underway and the cause of the fire is currently unknown,” said Mokhachane.

She urged residents to seek emergency assistance immediately during fire incidents.

Meanwhile, Sebokeng station commander Brigadier Thembekile Kubone called for increased fire safety awareness in communities.

“This season we would like to call on our fire department to assist with campaigns focusing on educating community members about practical measures that can be taken to prevent fires and promote safe practices in all households,” said Kubone.

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