Mother injured in Protea South shack fire that kills three children
A tragedy in Gauteng leaves a community mourning after an early-morning blaze destroys a home.
Three children have died and their 34-year-old mother has been hospitalized with severe injuries following a shack fire in Protea South in the early hours of Sunday, October 11.
A family member told Urban News that an argument occurred at the dwelling prior to the blaze, alleging that a man known to the family assaulted the mother, poured a flammable substance over the structure, locked the occupants inside and set it alight.
“The family is devastated by the incident and is still in disbelief,” said the relative.
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A neighbor, who requested anonymity, reported hearing a dispute end around midnight, followed by the sound of a liquid being splashed against the dwelling.
The neighbor said moments later, residents heard screaming and found the home engulfed in flames.
“Community members attempted to extinguish the fire, but were unable to contain it before the children succumbed to the blaze. The mother managed to escape the burning structure with severe injuries,” said the neighbor.
Police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the death of the three children and stated that the cause of the fire is unknown at this stage. “An inquest docket has been registered, and investigations are underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident,” said Nevhuhulwi.
