The Department of Correctional Services is investigating the cause of fire at the staff living area at the Kgosi Mampuru correctional facility in Pretoria yesterday. Four staffers had to be treated for smoke inhalation at the hospital.

EMS spokesperson, Charles Mabaso, said the cause of the fire is unknown at this stage but they suspect that it started in one of the units and rapidly spread to the others since they are not partitioned. "A total of 26 tenants were affected but the management of the correctional facility indicated alternative accommodation will be arranged for them. Four women were treated by paramedics for smoke inhalation and transported to hospital in a stable condition,"said Mabaso,adding that two units were destroyed by the fire while four sustained roof and smoke damage.

Mabaso said during the search, a cat was discovered to be unconscious. "While conducting search operations in one of the units filled with dense smoke, a firefighter discovered a lifeless cat and brought it out of the unit while conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The cat regained consciousness and paramedics administered oxygen therapy to it," Mabaso said. Kgosi Mampuru prison is home to notorious rapist and murderer Thabo Bester.