Two families including children died in separate shack fire incidents in the Eastern Cape over the weekend. In one incident, four family members burnt to death while a family of six was wiped out by the fire in another incident.

NO CHANCE OF SURVIVAL

SAPS provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu explained that the fires occurred in Ndevana and Algoa Park. "The first incident happened on Friday morning, September 15 where a 40-year-old woman and her three children died when their shack burned down in Tshabo, Ndevana. The three children, two girls and a boy were aged between three and 10," she said. Naidu said neighbours did all they could to extinguish the fire, but the flames were too strong. She said the names of the deceased will be released once their next of kin have been informed.

FAMILY BURNT TO DEATH

In the second incident, two adults and four children died when their shack caught fire on Sunday morning. "A family of six died after their shack in Jack Street in Missionvale, Algoa Park in Gqeberha burned to the ground. It is suspected that the cause of the fire may have been as a result of an illegal electricity connection, however, the exact cause will be determined by the fire department," said Naidu. Naidu said the ages and names of the deceased are not known as this stage. "In both cases, inquest dockets have been opened for investigation," Naidu said.