Two siblings die after Kuils River house fire

AFTERMATH: The remains of a Kuils River house where people died in a house fire. Picture: Phando Jikelo

AFTERMATH: The remains of a Kuils River house where people died in a house fire. Picture: Phando Jikelo

Published Sep 29, 2016

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AN 11-year-old girl and her older brother died on Wednesday after being trapped in a burning house in Kuils River. Three siblings survived the blaze and are being treated at the Tygerberg Hospital for burn wounds and smoke inhalation.

Renecia Hartley had been removed from the house suffering from smoke inhalation. She received CPR, but died later at Eerste River Hospital.

Paramedics declared Renecia’s brother Heinrich Francis, 30, dead on the scene.

Shirley Ruiters, 50, Farren Hartley, 22, and Shilon Hartley were treated for smoke inhalation before they were transported to Tygerberg Hospital for further treatment.

The fire gutted one formal dwelling, a garage, two motor vehicles and a Wendy House.

The main house sustained damage to its kitchen, lounge and one bedroom, said police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana. The circumstances which led to the deaths and injuries are being investigated and an inquest docket has been opened.

Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Liezl Moodie said the probable cause of the fire was smoking.

Family spokesperson Paul Francis said they would not speak to the media until later this week once they have “processed what happened”.

A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was awoken by screams shouting for help and immediately went to investigate.

The neighbour said he tried to hose the fire down until firefighters arrived.

“We tried to break the door open but unsuccessfully. The fire rescue department helped a lot because after they came it did not take long to bring the fire down,” he said.

“I am tired, exhausted and above all traumatised… to lose a child is not easy,” said the neighbour.

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