Man perishes in Never-Never shack fire
A 47-year-old man died in a shack fire in the Never-Never informal settlement on Tuesday morning (May 5).
Two families shared the shack, and two people escaped the fire unharmed.
According to the victim’s sister, the fire started at 1am.
Tshepo Malemela, chairman of the Never-Never committee, says the community awakened to cries for help and they attempted to put the fire out with buckets of water, to no avail.
“The flames were extremely high and they couldn’t put it out fast enough,” he adds.
“The family has nothing left but the clothes on their backs.”
Amanda Greybe, spokesman for the Springs police, says a sector policing vehicle was conducting routine patrols when they spotted a fire truck travelling at high speed, and followed it to the scene.
On arrival, they found another fire truck already on the scene, dousing the flames.
After the fire was extinguished, the man’s body was found.
“The cause of the fire is still unknown and is being investigated,” Greybe concludes.
The Addie is awaiting comment from emergency services.
