A 65-year-old man from Delft has died while a 58-year-old woman
suffered 60% burns on her body during a house fire, just after 5am on Thursday.
According to reports, residents in Owen Madikane Street, Leiden, were alerted to the fire when a neighbour got a whiff of the smoke.
They called firefighters to the scene and also tried to put out the fire.
The couple was apparently trapped inside until the firefighters arrived.
The woman was rescued by firefighters and transported to hospital, but her partner did not survive.
The fire was allegedly started by a candle that fell over, but authorities could not confirm this.
The City’s Fire and Rescue spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said the fire at the double-storey home was
contained to the ground floor.
“One man died and a woman sustained burns in a fire (on Thursday),” he said.
FIRE REPORT: Jermaine Carelse
“At 5.22am, the City’s Fire and Rescue Services were alerted to a formal dwelling alight in Owen Madikane Street, Leiden, Delft.
“The officer in charge said that the fire was contained to the ground floor area of the maisonette structure.
“Further investigation of the area led to the discovery of the body of an adult male who sustained fatal burn wounds.
“An adult female sustained 60% burn wounds and was treated and transported to a nearby hospital.
“The scene was cordoned off and handed over to the SAPS.”
Police spokesperson, Siyabulela Malo, says an inquest docket has been registered for investigation.
“The cause of the fire is undetermined. The circumstances surrounding this incident are being investigated.”
Police have urged anyone with
information to contact the Delft police
station on 021 654 9011.