Baby tragically dies in fire

Tragedy struck late on Sunday night, February 13, when a house was lit up with fire in the Ghetto area of Ward 11. A seven-month-old baby sadly perished in the blaze. On behalf of the family, Councillor Mtsheni explained what happened that night…

Cllr Mtsheni said he received a call from nearby neighbours, alerting him about the fire. “When I got the call, in my head I already knew the house they were referring to. I immediately called the fire department to assist and put out the blaze.” He said that when he reached the scene, he found community members helping alongside the fire-fighters. However, a seven-month-old baby had been in the house and could not be rescued in time. The infant was declared dead at the scene.

It is said that the baby was alone in a room when the fire started. Mtsheni says there is much speculation on how the fire was initiated, with people coming up with different scenarios. However, at this stage, no one knows exactly what caused the fire.

Mtsheni says he thinks that when someone initially saw the fire, it was already too late for the baby. The flames had caused major damage, with the main house and bedroom the baby was sleeping in suffering the most destruction. One of the males in the family is said to have been in the next room. He saw the fire and screamed for help, but it was too late to save the sleeping child.

Family and community members assist the 17-year-old mother with the burial of the child.

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