Rustenburg – The number of pupils injured when a fire broke at the North West School for the Deaf in Leeudoringstad has risen to 53, police said on Monday.
Police spokesperson Major Pelonomi Makau said a building caught fire at the North West School for the Deaf in the early hours of Monday.
“It is alleged that three children were asleep when the fire broke out at the girls hostel. According to the information available at this stage, three girls, aged 16, 17 and 18 were trapped inside the building and died on the scene, while 53 were admitted at the hospital for smoke inhalation and injuries when they jumped from the first to ground floor,” she said.
The police earlier Monday morning said 23 pupils were injured.
“At this stage, reports suggest that 22 computers and unconfirmed number of laptops that were at a computer room have been burnt. The cause of the fire is unknown, and investigation into the matter continues. The school is closed to allow forensic investigation to take place,” she said.
The North West acting provincial commissioner, Major General Jacob Tsumane has conveyed condolences to all families of the deceased and injured children.
“We would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to all the families. We will ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted to determine the cause of this horrific incident,” he said.
The Democratic Alliance in North West also extended condolences to the families and friends of the three pupils.
“This tragedy comes while the school is mourning after the death of assistant teacher, Thabo Batshe and two other pupils Neo Lekalakala and Kamogelo Mokowe who passed away in an accident on the Sunday, 2 August 2015. It appears as if the driver of the minibus they were travelling in allegedly lost control of the vehicle,” said Tutu Faleni, DA spokesperson on education.
North West premier Supra Mahumapelo reacted with shock to the incident and sent his condolences.
“Mahumapelo has upon learning of the tragic incident set up a technical team which comprises of senior administrators from the departments of education and sport development, health, social development and community safety and transport management,” said acting provincial government spokesperson Brian Setswambung.
The technical committee would, amongst others, gather information with a view to intervening at the school.
Setswambung said damage at the school include one hostel which hosts 40 beds, an administration block, a computer laboratory and two teachers’ flats.
The police were investigating a case of inquest.
ANA