Brave fight to save two from shack fire in vain

XOLANI NTSENGU tried valiantly to save his son Azile and his son’s girlfriend Nosipho from a fire that engulfed their shack early yesterday.

It was just after 1am when he was awakened by screams coming from the two adjoining shacks in his yard.

When he looked out he saw flames coming from the shack where Azile Ntsengu, 26, lived with his girlfriend Nosipho, whose surname is not known.

He heard their anguished screams for help and rushed out. But the spare key could not open the safety gate to their shack in Bhobhoyi Street, Philippi.

He used all his energy to try to force the gate open, but it was securely attached to the shack.

The fire burnt his hands, but Ntsengu kept on trying to force the gate. Eventually he had to let go.

The fire had also spread to an adjoining shack where his younger son Aviwe, 17, was sleeping. Aviwe escaped death, but was burnt. He was taken to hospital.

Ntsengu said they thought the cause of the fire could have been an electrical heater left unattended when the couple went to sleep.

Ntsengu said he and his wife were heartbroken, but they had to be strong for their other children.

“This is (a) tragedy and no one saw it coming. The family is saddened, heartbroken and it will take time to come to terms with his death.

“He was very young and had just started working … and now this.”

The city’s fire and rescue spokeswoman, Liezl Moodie, said when firefighters reached the scene one house was destroyed by a fire, and the couple were declared dead.

Aviwe was taken to hospital for treatment and Ntsengu’s wounds were treated on the scene.

In another fire in Gugulethu yesterday, about 20 houses were destroyed, leaving about 50 people homeless, Moodie said.

She said no injuries were reported and the city’s disaster risk management was notified.

Moodie said the cause of the fires was undetermined, pending investigations.

Police had not responded by the time of publication.