An 81-year-old Nongoma woman died when a fire tore through her home in the early hours of Saturday.

Zululand District Mayor, Michael Khumalo, visited the bereaved family Zithulele Nzuza in the Lindiwe area to offer condolences and donate groceries.

A neighbour first reported the fire, which gutted the entire six-room home.

It is unclear who was with Nzuza when the fire occurred, but she was declared dead at the scene.

A source from the Zululand District Municipality Fire and Disaster Management Section and Forensic team said members of the community rushed to the home and managed to extinguish the blaze.

“They prevented it from destroying the entire house. Together with the Nongoma Fire and Rescue Service, we found an 81-year-old woman dead inside the house.

“The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation and has not been established, but we are of the view that the source of ignition was a candle.”

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