Desperate attempts to save five people who were trapped in a burning shack in East London ended up in tragedy as they all died inside the shack.
The five - Nonzukiso Gijana, 38, her two kids, Sisipho Gijana, 12, Sinothando, 5, and her sister's children, Siphosihle, 2, and Ayabonga, 1, burnt into ashes inside the shack on Monday night.
A neighbour, Ntobeko Sola, said they had tried their best to help but it was too late.
“It was hard to watch the fire eating at their shack knowing that there are five people inside. It was painful, we were helpless next to the shack,” said Sola.
Sola said the fire was uncontrollable. “The way the shack was burning, it was as if there was fuel around the shack. Everyone was panicking outside thinking of those who are inside,” he said. The Buffalo City firefighters arrived at the scene but it was too late to save anyone from the blaze.
The incident happened in Orange Groove informal settlement near East London airport on Monday morning.
It's not clear what ignited the fire but East London police spokeswoman Warrant Officer Hazel Mqala said an inquest docket has been opened. “We can confirm that five people have died in that fire in Orange Grove and police have opened an inquest docket,” said Mqala.