Grandfather dies in fire
NEIGHBOURS tried frantically to rescue a Phoenix family who were trapped inside their Westham home, which was engulfed in flames on Saturday night.
Despite their brave attempts, pensioner Venketas Appalsamy, 74, died.
His death was caused, apparently by smoke inhalation.
His daughter is in a stable condition in hospital alongside her 4-year-old son.
The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.
The blaze gutted the top floor of the house.
While the family declined to comment on the incident as they were busy with funeral arrangements, neighbours described the fire as having been out of control.
“We smelt smoke and rushed outside, only to see this huge blaze sweeping through the top part of the house.
“I immediately thought of the child,” said one, who requested anonymity.
“Other neighbours were rushing around to try to get into the home.”
“Residents were in a panic, trying to use a garden ladder to get to the upper level of the home to try rescue the family,” said Vicky Januk of Accimed Paramedics.
“There were no screams for help so we were not sure if they were alive.”
Moments after Januk and his team got there, a fire crew arrived.
“Firefighters passed the child to residents through the window.
“The child was not breathing and paramedics began CPR,” he said.
Seconds later, Appalsamy and his daughter were brought outside.
“On our way to hospital we continued to perform CPR on the child and he started breathing again.
“His mother was in a stable condition, but his grandfather died.”
The neighbour described Appalsamy as a wonderful man who was always smiling.
“It is so hard to believe he is no more.
“We are now praying that the child and his mother make a speedy recovery.”
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said an inquest docket had been opened.