A house fire in Zone 12, Sebokeng, killed a 46-year-old mother and her three young children early on Saturday morning. The husband escaped unharmed as the family slept when flames spread through the home. Police are investigating the cause, which is currently unknown.
The incident occurred in the Vaal region. Sergeant Nthabiseng Mokhachane, the Sebokeng police spokesperson, described how the husband woke to check what he thought was an electrical fault. A large flame then erupted, and the children suffocated in their bedroom while the mother died in hers.
Authorities have noted an increase in deadly winter fires connected to heating and cooking devices. The police continue to probe the Sebokeng blaze.
“The husband woke up to check as he thought it may be an electrical fault. As he tried to go where the main switch is situated, a huge flame erupted inside the house. The three children who were sleeping suffocated and died in their bedroom. The mother also died while in her bedroom, but the husband managed to escape through the kitchen and survived. Police are investigating the incident and the cause of the fire is currently unknown.”
