A woman jumped through a window to escape a fire which engulfed the Mbambo household in Ward 28 in Island in Gamalakhe last Sunday.
It’s believed the woman was inside the house with her husband and son when it caught alight.
Simon April, spokesperson of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), said the Mbambo family is regrettably currently homeless, and according to information received the father of the family is staying with relatives while the wife and the son are fighting for their lives in hospital.
Lana van Zyl of Med-Evac Ambulance Service said the woman sustained severe burns over 60% of her body.
Van Zyl said paramedics were activated by RNM fire and rescue department to assist, and upon arrival, it was evident that the woman had jumped through a window to escape the fire, and was rushed in critical condition to a local hospital for medical treatment.
“She was later transferred to a medical facility in Durban. Her husband and son were also transported to a medical facility for treatment due to smoke inhalation and burns,” said Van Zyl.
April said the family apparently was woken by a fire at around 06:59, and RNM and Ugu Fire teams were dispatched immediately and upon arrival a five-room house was on fire.
“The roof collapsed and two vehicles were damaged, and an ambulance was on scene attending to three critically injured persons due to burns and they were transported to hospital. It is alleged that the fire was as a result of load shedding, however Saps is still investigating,” he said.
Relief items were issued by RNM Disaster Management. Department of Social Development and that of Human Settlements have been informed of the incident.
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