Cape Town - A stove that was not switched off after load shedding is believed to be the cause of a fire that killed a mother and her 16-month-old baby in Kensington’s informal settlement, Koe-Koe town in the early hours of Wednesday.
The City’s Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said the services were alerted at about 2.50am that a structure was on fire and a family trapped inside.
Carelse said crews from Epping, Brooklyn and Milnerton were dispatched to the scene and found the bodies of the 32-year-old mother, Haley Williams, and her baby boy, who had succumbed to fatal burn wounds.
Three other people were left displaced as a result. The firefighters extinguished the blaze by 4.30am, he said.
Community Policing Forum chairperson Cheslyn Steenberg said he was awakened by a “dreadful” call in the early hours, informing him of the incident.
Steenberg said he was still shocked and saddened by the death of Williams and her baby boy.
He said the fire started after Williams fried vetkoek and load shedding kicked in.
“She forgot to switch off the stove, made herself safe by locking her door, and went to sleep,” he said.
Steenberg said people who witnessed the fire said the stove was most probably the cause of the fire. He said many people tried to rescue the mother and the baby from the fire, including extinguishing the fire, but they were overcome by the smoke and flames.
“In the morning I visited the family to offer my condolences. They are still very traumatised. Let’s keep them in our prayers and thoughts,” he said.
Steenberg said a memorial service would be held soon.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said Kensington police had registered an inquest for further investigation.
Anyone with information is requested to call Crime Stop anonymously on 08600 10111.