The bodies of seven children and a 21-year old were burnt beyond recognition after a fire ripped through a cottage used as sleeping quarters for boys at a children’s home in Durban.
The fire broke out at the Lakehaven Children’s Home‚ north of Durban‚ early on Thursday.
According to a fireman on the scene‚ the bodies of the eight — a 21-year old‚ two 17-year olds‚ a 16-year-old‚ a 10-year-old and three eight-year old boys — were badly burnt.
He said three others were rescued prior to emergency services arriving at the home.
Social development spokesman Ncumisa Ndelu said 18 children were in the house.
She said that 10 children and two childcare workers had escaped the blaze. Three children were treated for cuts and smoke inhalation‚ and a childcare worker was treated for smoke inhalation.
Ndelu said a childcare worker had done roll call at 1.15am and went back to sleep. A little while later‚ she woke to go the bathroom and was alerted to the fire by a child.
Ndelu said social workers were counselling the survivors in another part of the home.
A fireman on the scene said the cause of fire was unknown at this stage.
Dozens of neighbours and emergency staff gathered on the road outside the home‚ which had been cordoned off to the public.
A neighbour said she didn’t know about the fire until her son telephoned her to ask her about it after he hearing radio reports.
“I was shocked because I didn’t hear anything at all. I live right next door and there were no sounds‚ no screaming or anything.”
She added that she went outside immediately but only realised there was actually a problem at the children’s home when she saw all the emergency services and police. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Eight die in blaze at children's home
The fire broke out at the Lakehaven Children’s Home‚ north of Durban‚ early on Thursday.
According to a fireman on the scene‚ the bodies of the eight — a 21-year old‚ two 17-year olds‚ a 16-year-old‚ a 10-year-old and three eight-year old boys — were badly burnt.
He said three others were rescued prior to emergency services arriving at the home.
Social development spokesman Ncumisa Ndelu said 18 children were in the house.
She said that 10 children and two childcare workers had escaped the blaze. Three children were treated for cuts and smoke inhalation‚ and a childcare worker was treated for smoke inhalation.
Ndelu said a childcare worker had done roll call at 1.15am and went back to sleep. A little while later‚ she woke to go the bathroom and was alerted to the fire by a child.
Ndelu said social workers were counselling the survivors in another part of the home.
A fireman on the scene said the cause of fire was unknown at this stage.
Dozens of neighbours and emergency staff gathered on the road outside the home‚ which had been cordoned off to the public.
A neighbour said she didn’t know about the fire until her son telephoned her to ask her about it after he hearing radio reports.
“I was shocked because I didn’t hear anything at all. I live right next door and there were no sounds‚ no screaming or anything.”
She added that she went outside immediately but only realised there was actually a problem at the children’s home when she saw all the emergency services and police. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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