Cape Town - Three of the five survivors of the Mitchells Plain fire that killed eight people, including five children, are in intensive care (ICU) at three of the province’s hospitals.
Henry Minnies, father of a 16-year-old survivor, said his son, Lance Minnies, was in ICU at Victoria Hospital.
Minnies said his son had been visiting church youth friends at the house where the fire occurred.
“The family is very heartsore by the incident. Lance is breathing through machines and is very bad. He can’t respond to us, but he can hear us. The burn wounds are from his face down.”
Victoria Hospital spokeswoman Monique Johnstone said: “The patient was transferred to this hospital on Sunday, from Mitchells Plain District Hospital, and is in ICU.”
Johnstone said one of the victims, who was treated at the district hospital, was discharged on Sunday morning, while two others had been transferred to Groote Schuur Hospital and a pregnant woman was being treated at Tygerberg Hospital.
Groote Schuur Hospital spokesman Alaric Jacobs said the two female patients were in ICU. “They are in ICU in ventilators, but are in a stable condition.”
Tygerberg spokeswoman Laticia Pienaar said: “The pregnant female is at the hospital and is in stable condition.”
The fire broke out in a house in MacBeth Street in Eastridge, on Saturday at about 8am.
Emergency Medical Service spokesman Robert Daniels said paramedics found two of the five children, aged between 18 months and 18 years, had been burnt beyond recognition.
It was reported that the deceased were members of the Abrahams family, except for a 14-year-old who had been visiting the home.
Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said City Fire Services and police had investigated the scene and were unable to determine the cause of the fire.
He said forensic investigators would be brought in to investigate further.
On Sunday, mayor Patricia de Lille offered her condolences to the Abrahams family.
“It is with overwhelming sorrow that we have learnt about the tragedy which has befallen the family of Mr Patrick Abrahams of Eastridge, Mitchells Plain.”Our thoughts are with Mr Abrahams and his family during this time of immeasurable loss. We also carry the four family members who are still in hospital in our thoughts and wish them a swift recovery.
“It is my hope the Abrahams family will find strength and comfort from their loved ones and all fellow Capetonians during this time of bereavement.”
De Lille promised the family would receive assistance from the city’s disaster response team in the form of food parcels, blankets, vanity packs and building materials.
“We know nothing can ease their pain in the midst of this heartbreak, but we aretrying to assist the family to ease some strain.”
Cape Argus