Disabled woman dies in fire caused by gas leak

AN INQUEST docket has been opened following the death of a person in a fire in Zwelethemba, Worcester. The fire was apparently caused by a gas leak.

Nkululeko Nhlapo, the brother of Nombeko Masekho, 33, said his sister could not escape because she was disabled.

“Nombeko’s mom had bought a new gas tank for her stove and asked a male resident to help as she will need to cook later on and does not know what goes where or how to close the tank tight,” he said.

“The male resident might have thought he closed it tight enough, the next minute the tank exploded due to the leakage.”

Nhlapo said the mother and the man ran outside for help and his disabled sister, who was not even aware of what was happening, was left behind.

“Her mother tried to fight the people who were holding her as she wanted to go back in and fetch her but it was too late.

“We have never experienced such a thing in our lives,” he said.

The blaze was extinguished and did not affect any neighbours.

ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said on inspection, the body of the woman was found among the ruins of the house.

“Paramedics arrived on the scene, finding the Breede Valley Fire services already in attendance.

“Fire services battled the blaze, and were able to extinguish it after a short time,” WEDNESDAY JULY 12 2017 said Meiring.

“Unfortunately, the woman had already succumbed to her injuries. Nothing could be done for her and she was declared dead.”

Meiring said details surrounding the circumstances were not yet known.

Police spokesperson André Traut said: “This office can confirm that the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman are being investigated after she died in a fire last night in Zwelethemba.”