Three young siblings lost their lives after a fire gutted their home in Hazel Road, Valhalla Park.
The blaze ripped through the family’s Wendy house at 7am on Friday killing Adiel, 13, Zainab, six, and three-year-old Zaakier Smith.
Zaakier’s twin sister, Zakiya, is currently in a stable condition in Red Cross Hospital after she suffered burn wounds to her body.
Authorities say the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel André Traut confirmed the incident.
“A fire at a Wendy house at the back of a property in Hazel Street in Valhalla Park, Bishop Lavis, claimed the lives of three children, aged three, six and 13 years old on Friday at 7am,” he said.
“The 34-year-old mother and another child sustained burn wounds.”
Bereaved grandmother Zainab Smith, 70, says the children were buried on the same day according to Muslim rites.
“The janaazah for the children happened on Friday after Asr [afternoon prayers],” Zainab says.
The family also wanted to thank everyone who assisted the family.
“On behalf of the children’s mother, Shanaaz, who is currently with her daughter at Red Cross [hospital], we want to thank everyone who helped to contain the fire.
“Neighbours and people on their way home from work sacrificed to kill the fire before Fire and Rescue Services came.
“To people who came to support and stayed out of work to be here, friends and family, thank you,” Zainab said.
Over the weekend, the family was inundated with messages of condolences and the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) came to visit and pray for the family.
Moulana Amien Jacobs of the MJC officiated at the janaazah of the children.
The children passed away during the Muslim holy month of Ramadaan, and on a Friday, both considered auspicious times in Islam.
TRAGIC: Wendy house in Valhalla Park burnt to the ground on Friday morning. CREDIT: Saafia February
The City’s Fire and Rescue spokesperson, Theo Layne, says the cause of the fire was an electrical fault.
“The cause of the fire was an electrical short circuit. Three children died in the fire. The Fire and Rescue Services responded to the incident at 7.13am,” he said.
“The entire structure and its contents were destroyed by the fire.”
Yesterday, residents and family could be seen cleaning the yard and removing burnt wood and ash.