In a heart-wrenching incident that has left a community in shock, five children, aged between 1 and 7 years, were tragically burnt beyond recognition in a shack fire at the Itireleng informal settlement near Laudium in Pretoria.
The devastating incident occurred on Sunday, prompting Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Lebogang Maile to visit the settlement this morning.
Upon the arrival of firefighters at the scene, the grim discovery was made, with the young victims unable to escape the fierce flames. Initial reports suggest that the children’s mothers, who are siblings, had allegedly left them unattended in one of the shacks before heading to a nearby tavern.
The tragic event has raised significant concerns about the safety and living conditions within informal settlements. As investigations by the police continue, the cause of the fire remains unknown, leaving the community grappling for answers and mourning the loss of these innocent lives.
