Six family members die in fire
Preliminary reports suggest that the fire could have been caused when a blanket fell onto a heater.
Six family members, including minor children, died tragically in a fire that swept through their home in Mandela Drive in Ermelo shortly after midnight on Friday morning.
The deceased are Mandla Msibi (54), Lindiwe Msibi (20), her two children, Sisanda Sibeko (4) and Boy Sibeko (2), Nkosingphile Mkhonto (15) and Sethu Msibi (13).
Members of Msukaligwa Fire and Rescue Services were called to the scene and managed to control the blaze which had swept through the small home.
An official report on the exact cause of the fire has not yet been released, but at this stage it is believed the fire could have been caused when a blanket fell onto a heater.
A delegation under the leadership of Msukaligwa Executive Mayor Mr Sipho Bongwe visited the scene on Friday and, together with other role players, will look into the possibility of establishing a coordinated project to assist the remaining family members with the necessary logistical support.
Burial arrangements could not be established by the time of going to print.
The shocked reaction of the community is reflected in the following selection of posts on the Highvelder’s facebook page:
Mcebo Mike Madi: May their souls rest in peace, and God be with the relatives who are going through pains of losing their loved ones.. yoh so sad
Malibongwe Mthokozisi Mkhonza: I am feeling sorry for the family having to bury 6 members yhooo thats tragic may their Souls Rest In Peace
Sechaba Ndlovu: May the good Lord be with their souls.RIP.
Shengelihle Mpumza Mashenge: My condolences to the family. May their precious souls rest in peace
Gugu Buthelezi: So sad hey…I never knew the man, but he always made my day. He would dance alone and drink outside. May they rest in peace.
Mbuso Simelane: Very sad story, may their souls rest in peace.
Noxolo-Soontow Fantasia Kingston: May they Rest in Peace it is sadly the way they experience their death.
Ntombenhle Siboza: That’s sad. May their souls rest in peace.
Busie Nondumiso Mavuso: May their souls Rest In Peace.
Thembi Constance Nkosi: Speechless yoo Jehova iba ngumelus omuhle kulo mnden.
Manqoba Syabonga: R I P to all for Ntombikayise Ntombenhle: Ey Nkosi kanti kwenzakalani soneni.
Siphesihle Nkosi Ka Maseko: Ja ne may their souls rest in peace.
Sibusiso Vilakazi: Awu madoda
Sombu Manana: May their souls RIP…..so sad.
Mncedisi Johannes: Ngozo Balale ngoxolo ewu kwaze kwababuhlungu.
Zinhle Nkosy Dlamini: Yoh kodwa Thixo ubuhlungu obungaka.
Thandi Mathandisi: So sad. May their souls rest in peace.
Thembi Nkosi: May their souls rest in peace.
Vuyiswa Shaz Ndamase: Saddest news ever.
Andreas Chagwe: So sad.
Lorraine Vosloo: So sad. RIP.
Nokuthula Soko KaMawandla: This is so bad abalale ngokuthula.
Sibongile Mavimbela: Ubhlungu obunje RIP.
Bonginkosi Twala: It’s sad.
Florah Stole Xem: May their souls rest in peace.
Success Soko: RIP bomakhelwane.
Fana Nkosi: SO SAD R I P.
Lwazi Ngubeni: Really this is painful may their souls rest in peace.
Rosemary Moolman: This is sad news! May they RIP!
