Ikageng police are investigating an inquest after officers responded to reports of a shack fire shortly before midnight on Monday (6/7). By the time emergency personnel arrived, the shack had already been destroyed.

The four-month-olds’ parents both sustained burn injuries in the blaze. The father suffered severe burns and was transferred to Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp for further treatment, while the mother, who was treated for shock and minor burns, was discharged from hospital on Tuesday.

The unemployed parents now require financial support for funeral arrangements, a private DNA test to speed up the release of the twins’ bodies, building materials to rebuild their shack, as well as food, clothing and professional trauma counselling.

“The family’s immediate priority is securing a private DNA test so they can gain access to the bodies of the twins and finally begin preparing for their burial,” said Solidarity Action Committee Collective chairperson Gift Mashaba.

“The parents have lost everything. They need assistance with funeral costs, building materials to rebuild their shack, as well as food and clothing to help them start over.

“The mother is still deeply traumatised, and while social workers have been assigned, we believe she urgently needs professional trauma counselling. The surviving child also requires therapy.”

Community members cleaning up after the fire. Photo: Parys Gazette/Tania Coetzee

Community members did everything they could to extinguish the fire using sand and water, but emergency services arrived more than three hours later. Many residents believe a quicker response could have made a difference, he said.

North West police spokesperson Col. Adéle Myburgh said the charred remains of the four-month-old twin boys were discovered among the debris while police were processing the scene.

“During the processing of the scene, the charred remains of four-month-old twin boys were discovered among the debris,” said Myburgh. “The cause of the fire has not yet been established and remains under investigation.”

Police have urged community members to remain vigilant and to prioritise fire safety to help prevent further tragedies. Residents are urged to take extra precautions to reduce the risk of house fires:

• never leave candles, paraffin stoves, or open flames unattended;
• keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children;
• extinguish candles and switch off heating devices before going to sleep or leaving home;
• ensure paraffin stoves and heaters are in good working condition and placed on stable, non-flammable surfaces;
• keep candles, heaters, and open flames away from curtains, bedding, clothing, and other flammable materials;
• do not leave children unattended in homes where candles, heaters, or cooking appliances are in use; and
• if a fire starts, leave the structure immediately and call the fire department or emergency services from a safe location.

Those wishing to assist, can contact Gift Mashaba of the Solidarity Action Committee Collective on 069 580 0175.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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