Four children die in house fire near Bizana
It is believed the children had been playing outside their homestead at around 3.30pm, shortly before neighbours noticed a fire in one of the flats.
Four young children aged between two and four years, all belonging to the Xesibe family, have died in a blaze that engulfed their home in Pelepele village near Bizana yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.
It is believed the children had been playing outside their homestead at around 3.30pm, shortly before neighbours noticed a fire in one of the flats.
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After receiving a call from the neighbours, the children’s grandfather asked his brother, Mzaneno Xesibe, to check on the children. When Mr Xesibe arrived he found the three bedroomed flat engulfed in flames.
“Four neighbours, three women and and a man, were trying to put out the fire. We were unable to enter through the door due to the intensity of the fire and we were forced to break into the flat via a window.”
Tragically, he said, the children were already dead.
When the Herald visited the village earlier today (Sunday), members of a local church had gathered to offer what support and comfort they could.
Philisiwe Xesibe (27), the mother of one of the children, said she was at work when she got the news. The distraught woman said she was still in a state of disbelief over what had happened. “I’m hoping they will tell me that my child is in hospital, because I don’t believe what I’m being told. Maybe when I see his body, I will believe it.”
Mr Xesibe said he hoped the bereaved parents would be offered counselling otherwise, he said, he did not know how they would cope with this ordeal.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Zilungile Nkamda confirmed the incident, adding that an inquest docket had been opened.
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