Bellair fire destroys home, three pets trapped and presumed dead

A DOG and two of her puppies have been presumed dead after they were trapped during a devastating house fire in Blairmont Avenue, Bellair on Thursday, February 17.

Details surrounding what started the fire are unknown, however, no people were injured. Huge clouds of thick black smoke and raging flames could be seen covering the area.

The fire broke out in the morning and quickly ripped through the home before burning it to the ground.

ALS Paramedics Medical Services spokesperson, Rowan Scandroglio said paramedics together with the eThekwini Fire Department arrived on the scene to find the house engulfed with flames.

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A resident who was in the house when the fire occurred spoke to Queensburgh News and said,

“I was just about to go back to bed when I saw smoke coming out of one of the rooms. I was staying on the veranda in a makeshift shelter and the door two the house was shut as well. I heard two banging noises before the fire started. When the flames started the house stood no chance, as it was made out of wood. The house went down like a matchstick,” said Cameron Wood.

According to Wood, the dog ran into the house to try and rescue the puppies when they got trapped.

The bodies of the dogs have not been recovered.

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“It is heartbreaking what happened especially to the innocent animals,” he added.

There was no damage reported to the other building on the property. 

“The eThekwini Fire Department worked on fighting the blaze while paramedics treated one man for smoke inhalation. Three puppies from the house are missing and are presumed dead,” said Scandroglio.

eThekwini Fire rescue was on the scene said they were yet to determine what caused the fire, however, they confirmed that there were no injuries.

Members of Bellair SAPS were on scene at the time and will investigate the matter further.