BOPHELONG. – She shielded her baby like a blanket to save him from perishing in a devastating shack fire, however, her efforts turned into a futile exercise as the toddler, Warona Molapisi (1) died.

Regina Molapisi (32) died a horrible death when her family’s two-room shack went up in flames in the wee hours of Monday, June 3.

According to the family of her boyfriend, who happened to stay in the same yard as the deceased, they were woken up by Regina’s screams as flames ravaged the shack.

Despite desperate attempts by neighbours wakened up by blowing whistles to save the mother and child, their efforts also proved fruitless.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Itumeleng Motloang (37), a twin sister to Regina’s boyfriend recounted the harrowing events that led to the discovery of the fire. “My younger sister, Mpho, was breastfeeding her baby when she smelled burning cables. She went outside to check and was met with the sight of Regina’s shack engulfed in flames. She screamed for help, and we alerted our neighbors by blowing whistles,” said Motloang.

Scores of residents worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire with buckets and break down the shack but their efforts didn’t materialize as the fire defeated them.

“I banged on the corrugated steel with a spade before residents arrived, but nothing seemed to help. My sister managed to break a window, and through the flames, she saw Regina covering her baby on the floor, trying to protect him,” Motloang added.

The visibly devastated Squiza said the tragic scene left the family in deep mourning.

“We are devastated, but my brother is beyond broken. We had to fetch him from work after some residents helped extinguish the fire. The only image left in his head is the charred bodies of his loved ones,” Motloang said, her voice heavy with grief.

Vanderbijlpark police spokesperson Sergeant Sabelo Sigcu confirmed a case of culpable homicide is being investigated.