AS THE flames started eating the house, Phindile and her family ran outside to safety.
But then the brave matric pupil decided to risk her life and ran back into the house to save her books.
Although she managed to get back into the house, she never came out.
The burnt remains of Phindile Mkhezwane (17) were found lying next to her partially burnt school books in what remained of the shack in Nhlungwane squatter camp in Inanda, Durban, KZN.
According to neighbour Clement Magwaza (58), witnesses said Phindile could have survived if she had let her school bag burn.
“Witnesses said Phindile’s family ran out of the shack after realising it was on fire,” he said.
“However, she went back into the blaze to get her bag in her bedroom.
“She inhaled smoke and suffocated while looking for her books.”
He said when firefighters arrived the shack had already collapsed and everything inside had been turned to ashes.
Phindile’s body was found in her bedroom, lying next to her books.
The shack she was renting with her siblings was destroyed in a fire on Friday night, believed to have been started by a paraffin stove. Three members of the family, who are from Kokstad, Eastern Cape, were able to escape but they lost all their belongings.
Major Thulani Zwane said an inquest docket was opened at Inanda Police Station.
Sthembiso Mshengu, spokesman for eThekwini Municipality said the constant growth of squatter camps was a big problem.
“We are worried about the increase in the number of incidents of people dying in shack fires,” he said.
But then the brave matric pupil decided to risk her life and ran back into the house to save her books.
Although she managed to get back into the house, she never came out.
The burnt remains of Phindile Mkhezwane (17) were found lying next to her partially burnt school books in what remained of the shack in Nhlungwane squatter camp in Inanda, Durban, KZN.
According to neighbour Clement Magwaza (58), witnesses said Phindile could have survived if she had let her school bag burn.
“Witnesses said Phindile’s family ran out of the shack after realising it was on fire,” he said.
“However, she went back into the blaze to get her bag in her bedroom.
“She inhaled smoke and suffocated while looking for her books.”
He said when firefighters arrived the shack had already collapsed and everything inside had been turned to ashes.
Phindile’s body was found in her bedroom, lying next to her books.
The shack she was renting with her siblings was destroyed in a fire on Friday night, believed to have been started by a paraffin stove. Three members of the family, who are from Kokstad, Eastern Cape, were able to escape but they lost all their belongings.
Major Thulani Zwane said an inquest docket was opened at Inanda Police Station.
Sthembiso Mshengu, spokesman for eThekwini Municipality said the constant growth of squatter camps was a big problem.
“We are worried about the increase in the number of incidents of people dying in shack fires,” he said.
source ; daily sun
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