DURBAN - A PHOENIX man accused of setting fire to a flat he was renting, which resulted in the death of five people, is recovering from burn wounds in hospital.
Police said the 57-year-old man is under police guard.
Four children and a woman died in Monday’s blaze on the bottom floor of a four-family flat in Kidstone Place.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said when police arrived at the scene they found that seven flat residents had managed to escape.
This is a flat in Westham in Phoenix where 5 people including a 3-year-old perished in fire after a man allegedly known to the woman amongst the deceased started fire using a burning tire this morning@DailyNewsSA#Elections2021 #LGE2021 #LocalGovernmentElections2021 pic.twitter.com/OQgG1NMgS9
— Nokuthula Mabuza (@_MabuzaN) November 1, 2021
“Residents reported that there was a domestic altercation at the home prior to the fire. A man, who is related to the deceased, was arrested at his relative’s home in Phoenix. He had serious burn wounds,” Naicker said.
Phoenix police are investigating a case of arson and murder.
The dead were identified as Elisha Naidoo, 36, Jadene Naidoo, 13, Liam Naidoo, 8, Jordan Naidoo, 8 and Aldrin Chetty, 4. Funeral arrangements are still being made. A source said ID documents and birth certificates of the deceased were destroyed in the fire.
On Wednesday, neighbour Vicky Singh said his flat had been damaged by smoke. Salim Suleman, who lived upstairs with his wife, had to temporarily relocate because their flat was badly damaged.
Ubuntu Peace Forum spokesperson Sham Maharaj said affected family members were taken to a church but it did not have shower facilities. He said that government departments intervened on Wednesday to fast-track the process of funeral arrangements.
“They were renting the flat. The affected families are from Phoenix. They have split up and began living with family in Phoenix. Police do not want anyone to enter the flat. There is nothing to salvage from the flat. Their documents were also destroyed. Affidavits have been drawn up where necessary to assist in fast-tracking funeral arrangements. The community rallied together. Clothing and food was given to the family,” he said.
The family declined to comment, saying they were told not to by the police.
Daily News