An inquest docket has been opened by SAPS New Brighton following the death of five children and a grandmother who were burnt to death in a shack fire in New Brighton on Thursday, September 19.
According to police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge, SAPS New Brighton was alerted to a shack fire at about 04:00.
Upon arrival at the Chris Hani informal settlement, next to Ngene Street, New Brighton, a completely destroyed shack was found.
“The Fire Department put out the remaining flaming debris, and a discovery was made of the burnt-out bodies of an adult female and five children. It is believed to be the remains of a grandmother (68) and her five grandchildren, all aged between 4 and 11 years old,” Beetge added.
He explained that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
“Formal identification of the six deceased will need to be conducted by forensic analysis (DNA), and no names can be released at this stage.”
