Man suffocates in room
Police believe the man had made a fire in a braai stand and placed it in the room due to the cold nights presently experienced in Ermelo.
A 29-year-old man died by suffocation in a room of a house in Oosthuize Street during Saturday night.
Police spokesman Capt Carla Prinsloo said initial investigations have led police to believe the man had made a fire in a braai stand and placed it in the room due to the cold nights presently experienced in Ermelo.
He was overcome by carbon monoxide fumes and lack of oxygen while he lay sleeping.
His brother discovered his body at about 04:00 on Sunday morning.
The deceased’s name had not yet been officially released by the time of going to print.
The police have opened an inquest docket.
In the meantime the public has been warned against the dangerous practice of making open fires or placing braais or bolas in confined or poorly ventilated places.
“Besides the danger of a fire breaking out, the flames and even glowing coals use up the available oxygen within minutes and at the same time poisonous carbon monoxide fumes are released.
“The person is quickly overcome by the fumes, loses consciousness and dies in his sleep,” said Capt Prinsloo.
