Pensioners evacuated from J-Bay blaze

ABOUT 80 pensioners were evacuated from the Jeffreysrus retirement village near Fountains Estate, Jeffreys Bay, during an early morning blaze that left the building partly destroyed.

Four people were taken to Humansdorp Hospital after inhaling smoke, while others were treated by medical personnel on the scene.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Police suspect it was due to an electrical fault in the main building’s linen or laundry room at about 1am.

The retirement village is on the corner of Koraal and Dolly Varden streets.

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Basil Seekoei said spe- cialist fire investigators and police forensic experts were sent to investigate the cause.

“A preliminary investigation reveals that the fire emanated from an electrical fault. However, a more in-depth investigation is under way,” he said.

“As the fire broke out, the alarm was raised and the evacuation began. Fire department officials, security, medics and police all assisted with getting [residents] off the premises as quickly as possible in case the fire spread.

“Before it could reach any other rooms it was extinguished.”

Seekoei said no criminal investigation was yet under way.

By late yesterday morning all the residents had returned to their rooms.