SHARPEVILLE. – Masiteng was with his niece and her two kids when the incident happened.

Mangaka Masiteng says, “We did not have electricity on the day of the fire. It had had been several weeks without electricity in our area. Because of this reason, we would go to bed early in the evening at around 19:00.”

The fire is said to have started shortly after they went to bed.

“Mangaka says she heard sounds and on further inspection, saw that her uncle was trying to get out of his room where the fire was.”

He was severely burned. He was taken to hospital 22 April.

Nkele Makwe his other niece says, “My uncle was severely burned on the back of his head, face, his back and his hands. It was very painful to see him in that state.”

The family says they question the cause of the fire.

“We suspect that the cause of fire is the electricity that would just go on and off randomly. There were no candles on, we only had solar lights on in the kitchen. We are awaiting the outcome of the investigation by police.”

Police spokesperson Constable Busisiwe Sango confirmed that the cause of fire was under investigation.