A two-month-old baby boy and his two brothers aged 14 and 17 were three of four victims of a shack fire in the Holomisa informal settlement in Bekkersdal early Monday morning, February 7.

Also read: Shack fire kills three children

Bekkersdal Police spokesperson Sergeant Linkie Lefakane said a 35-year-old woman also was killed in the tragedy while two other family members, a 38-year-old man and a four-year-old boy, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to hospital.

“Those killed were burned beyond recognition. It is suspected that the incident happened when they were all sleeping,” said Sergeant Lefakane.

She explained that one of the neighbours heard people screaming early that morning.

He got up and discovered that the shack next door was on fire. He tried to extinguish the flames while calling for help. The cause of the fire is still to be confirmed, however an inquest is underway,” Sergeant Lefakane said.

Police gave the following fire safety tips:

• Keep a close eye on paraffin stoves.
• Do not cook near a window with a curtain.
• Make sure the stove does not fall over.
• Be aware on the dangers of illegal and faulty electricity connections.
• Watch out for cigarette butts.
• Do not go to sleep while candles/ paraffin stoves are still burning.
• Teach children about the dangers of fire.

On behalf of the Bekkersdal Police Station, its acting station commander Lieutenant Colonel Andile Moshani expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

We also wish those who were injured in the incident a speedy recovery,” Moshani added.