Elderly woman found dead in East house fire
The fire was already raging when firefighters arrived at the house at 09:30.
Tshwane emergency services said the body of a 75-year-old woman was found in a house fire on Hesketh Drive in Moreleta Park in the east of Pretoria on Monday morning.
“We responded to the scene of a thatched roofed home, with about seven rooms, that was on fire this morning,” said emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso.
The fire was already raging when firefighters arrived at the scene at 09:30.
House burns down in Moreleta Park. Photo: Carli Koch
Firefighters had to protect three adjacent houses from exposure to the fire spread from the heat intensity.
“Three members of the community and one security officer that were helping on the scene, including one firefighter, were given oxygen therapy by paramedics,” he added.
“The owner of the house said he received a call from the neighbours at around 09:10 alerting him about the fire,” said Mabaso.
He reported that three emergency fire engines were dispatched to the scene.
“One of the houses has a lapa that also caught fire but we managed to extinguish the fire,” said Mabaso.
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Relatives of the elderly woman and community members watched firefighters do everything in their power to extinguish the fire.
The traumatised family members were not in a state to talk.
The street was cordoned off to give firefighters a chance to do their work. Security companies were also on the scene for assistance.
Mabaso said the cause of the fire was unknown.
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