Mfuleni police have opened an inquest docket following an incident where an off-duty police official, his wife and two children died in a fire in the area on Friday evening.
Police reports indicate a tenant on the premises heard screams after 21:30 coming from the main house and went to investigate. The tenant tried to gain access to the house. The bodies of the 48-year-old police sergeant and his 38-year-old wife were discovered in the bedroom of their home in Ringwood Street Wesbank, Mfuleni. Their two children aged eight and four years were found in the passage already dead. All deceased persons are suspected to have died of smoke inhalation. Meanwhile the deceased couple’s 18-year-old daughter who suffered burn wounds is currently in hospital. Her 11-month-old child was also admitted to hospital for smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire is the subject of the police investigation.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Thembisile Patekile has conveyed condolences to the family of the deceased persons.
The names of the deceased individuals will be released once their next of kin have been informed.
Source: South African Police Service