Cape Town - The community of Belhar has been left heartbroken after the death of two children in a block of flats in Chestnut Place.
The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon on the third floor of the block of flats. Zarha Johnson and Zyaad Johnson died after sustaining burns.
Residents said they heard screams from the flat and tried to get the children out.
Video: Cindy Waxa/African News Agency
“The bodies of two children, a girl aged 1 and a boy aged 5, were discovered.
“One police officer also sustained slight injuries to his face and arm while trying to assist the victims. An inquest docket was opened for investigation. The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage,” said police spokesperson FC van Wyk.
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“We are not really sure how the fire started - Zyaad’s mother was with me and someone ran to us and told us the flat was on fire,” said the cousin of the two children, Kashifa Abrahams said.
They tried their utmost to get the children out, she said. Details surrounding how the children died remains sketchy.
It’s believed they were playing with matches and a bottle which caused the blaze. Abrahams said the mothers had left the two children alone at home.
“They feel very sad because they lost everything in the fire and they are devastated,” she said. “All we can do as a community is support the family during this time.”