Man burns to death in horrific circumstances
The fire broke out during the daily water cuts which meant the community were unable to save the man.
A COMMUNITY is in mourning following a fire at the Khabazela Township, north of Durban, which claimed the life of a 29-year-old man. The fire began at about 4.30am and destroyed three shacks built onto one of the homes in the township. The tragedy was made worse by the fact that community members could not save the man because of the water shut-offs. He was burnt alive while trying to escape through the burglar bars on the window.
The city has implemented stage 3 nightly shut-offs in all areas which meant areas would be without water for 11 hours (from 7pm to 6am).
According to Ward 110 councillor, Pete Graham, the cause of the fire is unknown.
“Neighbours and his mother could only look on helplessly as the fire claimed him as the nightly water shutoffs meant that there was no water for them to use to try and extinguish the blaze. The 40 per cent water loss by the metro that has lead to these water shutoffs means that the responsibility for this must be laid squarely at the door of eThekwini Metro for continuing to implement this ill-advised policy,” he said.
Graham extended his sympathies to the family of the victim.
