A tragic fire in Manenberg claimed the lives of a couple on Tuesday night.
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Gavin Petersen and his partner, known only as Derrick, were asleep in their house, which was attached to another informal structure and a formal house.
Imtiyaaz Jordan, a witness, recalls the horrifying events: ‘I woke up around 11pm, and the flames were already raging. Fortunately, four of us managed to escape from the house, and two others from a neighbouring house were also unharmed. Sadly, the elderly couple, both men, one of whom was blind, were unable to escape. We heard their cries for help, but the fire quickly silenced them.’
Efforts were made to rescue Gavin, who briefly survived but later succumbed to his injuries. Derrick was found deceased. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
The Jordan family, who lost everything in the blaze, appeals to the public for assistance with clothing and furniture.
City’s Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, reports that they received the alert just after 11pm and dispatched crews from Gugulethu, Ottery and Mitchells Plain. By 12:40am, the fire was contained and extinguished. Two informal structures were destroyed, while extensive damage was inflicted on the first floor of a formal duplex, with another duplex suffering from smoke logging.
According to the Daily Voice, the bodies of the two adult males were found amid the debris, both having sustained fatal burn wounds. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi, the police spokesperson, confirms that two bodies were discovered at the scene, prompting Manenberg police to open an inquest for further investigation.
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Picture: Discott / Wikimedia Commons