Man dies in South Hills fire

At this stage, it is not clear what started the fire.

Ward 57 Clr Faeeza Chame with some of the residents at the scene.

RESIDENTS in Northam Place were shocked to witness the fire that killed Ramano Pieterson (27) on Tuesday night, June 11.

Mano, as he was affectionately known in the area, lived in a garage at the back of the flats. He was burnt beyond recognition in a fire that destroyed several garages.

According to the eyewitness, a loud bang was heard around 22:30. “When we went out to investigate we saw a raging fire in one of the garages where Mano lived. We tried to quell the fire but it was too strong,” she said.

Mano had been living in that garage for almost three years despite his family living in a few blocks away.

Ward 57 Cllr Faeeza Chame passed her condolences to the family. “We are very sorry about the incident. Condolences to the family and friends. I also urge people of South Hills not to use garages as their homes. There are a number of flats in this area where people live in these garages. They have neither electricity nor ablution facility, they are designed for cars not for people,” she said.