Man burns to death in Booysen Park shack fire
Deceased’s mother was next on list to receive an RDP house at new development under construction across the road
A sombre atmosphere hung over the community of Jagvlakte, on the outskirts of Booysen Park, as neighbours and building contractors cleared the burnt remnants of a shack fire that killed a 52-yearold man.
By the time neighbours noticed the fire raging inside the small metal structure it was too late, and Hendrik Swartz had already been engulfed by the blaze.
Fortunately, his elderly mother, who stayed with him, Diana, 77, had spent the night at her daughter’s home, avoiding the same fate as her son.
However, that did little to ease her pain when she heard the news of her son’s death on Friday.
“I don’t really feel anything at this stage. I don’t know how to feel,” Diana said from outside her daughter’s home in the Qunu informal settlement.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said police were notified about the fire at about 1am, but by the time members arrived at the scene the fire had already been extinguished.
“The structure was completely destroyed, and upon further inspection the remains of one person were found among the wreckage. He was identified as Hendrik Swartz,” Beetge said.
He said the cause of the fire was still unknown and that an inquest docket had been opened.
“Anyone with information about the fire should come forward and police will follow up any leads that call for further investigations,” he said.
Neighbour and family friend Enid Agerdien said she had been woken by a knock on her bedroom window shortly before 1am.
“One of the neighbours woke me up to say I should come quickly as there is a house on fire.
“The moment I came out of my house I recognised Hendrik’s shack.”
Agerdien said from the outside, the structure seemed intact.
But as she approached she could feel the heat and it became clear the entire inside of the shack was engulfed in flames.
“The fire brigade came very quickly, but before that there was nothing anyone could do.
“The whole inside was on fire and we could not hear any voices.
“At first I thought maybe he got out and the house was empty.
“But at one stage the door swung open, and I could see his burnt body on the floor.”
According to Agerdien, Diana was next on the list to receive an RDP house at a new development under construction across the road from the gutted shack.
Swartz was planning to move in with her, and the shack they shared was just a temporary solution until their new home was complete.
Asked about her son, Diana described him as a hard worker who was known in the area for helping others build sturdy shacks.
“He had a background in construction and specialised in roof trusses for a long time.
“He had not been working for some time, but often helped out in the community,” she said.
As she spoke, her hand shook but she showed little emotion, clearly still in shock from that morning’s events.
She said her son was not married, but had two children and a grandchild.
“I have nothing now. All our things were inside that shack.
“I have nothing but the clothes on my back, and this pair of takkies,” she said, staring at her feet.
Agerdien said they would approach their community structures and the ward councillor to seek help for Diana.
“For now the family still need to make the necessary arrangements as they wait for family from the Western Cape to come down for the funeral.”