Durban - An Inanda family were on Tuesday coming to terms with the death of their son who died in a fire in his room in the RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth at the weekend.
Bhekinkosi Ngcobo, the father of 20-year-old first-year nursing student Sicelo, said on Tuesday that the family was in shock.
“To be a nurse was his dream. It was a profession he had always admired,” he said.
Sicelo, he said, had excelled in mathematics and physical science at Mqhawe High School where he completed his matric in 2012.
“He was intelligent, a hard worker and very outspoken. He was also good with children in the area, often helping them with their school work,” he said
He said the family had “high hopes” that he would return to take care of his family home.
“The doctor told me that people who sustained burns on between 75 and 95% of their bodies, never come back. Sicelo had sustained burns to 95% of his body,” he said.
His son by that time, he said, was not responding to treatment and his kidneys failed.
Health Department spokesperson Desmond Motha, said the student’s room caught fire at about 8am.
“An enrolled nursing assistant first noticed the smell of smoke and investigated.
“After checking several rooms, he arrived at the nursing student’s room and found that the door was hot and locked.
“He called for help. Another staff member arrived and broke down the door.
“At this point, the nursing student was on the floor and the room was on fire,” he said.
The student was in his first year at the college.
The hospital said on its website that accommodation was available at the residence for nurses in training.
Motha said while attempts were made to extinguish the fire, the nursing student was rushed to the resuscitation room.
He was unconscious and died in ICU at 4.45pm.
His family was informed in a meeting with the hospital’s management.
Provincial Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, said: “To lose a child under these circumstances is sad and shocking. The incident is still being investigated by police and the area has been cordoned off.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to the family,” Dlomo said.
Dhlomo, other high-ranking officials and representatives from the hospital, paid their respects to the family at their home in Umzinyathi in Inanda this morning.
Provincial police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, said the Chatsworth police had opened an inquest docket.
“The cause of the fire is unknown,” he said.
Daily News