Investigation launched after four cousins die in Delft gas shop blaze
The community of Delft has been left reeling as four cousins lost their lives in a devastating fire, their bodies burned beyond recognition after being trapped inside a makeshift gas shop.
Fire crews were called to the corner of Main and Sandelhout Road in Delft South around 3am on Friday morning where three structures, consisting of a Fruit and Vegetable stall, a gym, and a gas cylinder outlet, were damaged.
When the Cape Argus sister publication, Daily Voice arrived at the scene, we were informed by family that the four deceased men were between the ages of 26 and 33 and were the owners of the structure that burned.
The men rented the structure to small business vendors, who would store their goods inside overnight. The men also lived inside the structure and were trapped during the fire, as there was only one way out.
A woman, who was selling plastic dishes, said she received a call at 3.20am saying the place was on fire.
She explained: “This structure was almost like our warehouse, where we would store our things at night.
“We were different business owners selling things. I had a stand selling dishes and brooms on the road. Another girl sold hair and cosmetics, others sold fruit and veggies, vetkoek, plumbing supplies, and things like that. We lost everything in the fire.
“Just three days ago, I bought new stock, and I did not even get the chance to sell something.
“I am sad about the lives that were lost; they were young men.
“They had nowhere to go when the fire started because they closed the place in such a way that the only way out was through the door, to keep skelms (criminals) out.”
The family of the deceased was standing outside the premises, looking on as mense were collecting scrap.
An uncle of one of the deceased said: “We do not know what happened, but the fire was on the inside, and whatever was inside burned. It’s tragic, but we have to be strong.”
Spokesperson for the Fire and Rescue Services, Jermaine Carelse, said the cause of the fire is still unknown.
He added: “The City’s Fire and Rescue Service was notified at around 3.05am of structures alight on the corner of Main and Sandelhout Road in Delft South. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by 6.45am. The cause of the fire is unknown.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that Delft police registered an inquest for investigation.
“According to reports, Delft SAPS members responded to a fire complaint at the mentioned address, and on arrival, the fire brigade and ambulance were already on the scene.
“When the fire was extinguished, four unidentified human bodies were found.
“Circumstances surrounding this fire are under investigation,” he said.