A Reservoir Hills family was dealt a double blow after their relative was burnt beyond recognition in a fire at their home.
Ashveer Sewbagth, 32, unemployed, was taking a nap in the three- bedroom wood-and-iron home last Thursday afternoon when the fire broke out. He was living with his cousin, Sheritha Dhruplal, and her husband Alvin. The couple have since moved in with relatives.
ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said paramedics were returning to their branch when they noticed the thick smoke near some residences.
“The crews immediately alerted the fire services and responded to the scene.
“On arrival, paramedics found a house well ablaze. Fire services battled the blaze for some time before it was extinguished.”
He said once extinguished, paramedics found the body of a man among the ruins of the house.
“Unfortunately the man had already succumbed to his injuries and was later declared dead on scene.
“The cause of the fire is not yet known but local authorities were on the scene for investigations.”
Sewbagth’s cousin, Romy Govender, said on the day of the incident Alvin had gone to work and Sheritha was chatting to neighbours a few metres away from the house.
“Ashveer was asleep. When Sheritha was returning home there was thick black smoke coming from the house.
“Neighbours gathered to assist her by trying to extinguish the fire but the flames were too high. They even tried to break the windows to locate Ashveer but nothing worked.”
Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane confirmed that the cause of the fire was not known.