DURBAN - Police arrested a 57-year-old man in connection with a fire that led to the death of four children and a woman in Phoenix on Monday.
One of the homes, in a four-family flat in Kidstone Place, was allegedly set alight while a family of 12 were asleep inside. Neighbours were affected by smoke and fire damage.
Relief efforts are under way to assist the family with temporary accommodation and trauma counselling.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said when police arrived at the scene they found that seven flat residents had managed to escape. Five others died in the fire.
“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. He was taken to a local hospital where he is being held under police guard,” 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. It is alleged that a car tyre was lodged against the door to prevent it from opening.
Police are still investigating how the fire started.
The family declined to comment, saying they were told not to by the police. Some of the family were visiting from Richards Bay.
On Monday, the neighbours were seated outside the building waiting for the go-ahead from the police to enter their flats.
Neighbour Vicky Singh described it as a tragedy. He said they were awoken by screams.
Now visiting Westham in Phoenix where a 57-year-old man allegedly set a family flat alight, killing 5 people including a 3 year old. The man is alleged to be the husband.@DailyNewsSA#Elections2021 #LGE2021 #LocalGovernmentElections2021 pic.twitter.com/MQL59zKAq5
— Nokuthula Mabuza (@_MabuzaN) November 1, 2021
“When I opened my door, I noticed my neighbours’ flat on fire. They were pulling things out of the house. Two kids were also pulled out in the chaos. Our fire hoses and reels were stolen from the flat. We relied on the fire department to douse the flames,” Singh said.
Salim Suleman, who lived upstairs with his wife, said although they were concerned about the damage to their flat, the loss of lives had left them emotional. The neighbours were offered accommodation at a nearby church. Some declined it because they feared leaving their homes would invite criminals to loot whatever was left behind.
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
Community leader Nazira Bee Yasin said the family were housed at a church overnight.
“We are co-ordinating relief efforts for the family. They have asked to be given space and time to grieve and soak in what has happened. It is a tragic loss of lives. They have also lost all their possessions,” she said.
Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Ravi Pillay said it was a devastating human tragedy.
“The trauma has been aggravated by the manner of the death. The justice system must take its course. We thank the community for their support. The priority now is the well-being of the survivors, especially the children, and interim accommodation. We have to accept that families in society suffer extreme social challenges. We have to develop the capacity to intervene in time.”
Louie Pillay of the Ubuntu Forum in Phoenix said the community has opened its hearts and offered support to the family. He also said that although the family and neighbours in the blocks had registered to vote, they could not do so.
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