Home-alone baby dies in fire
A baby boy, who was at home by himself, died when his mother’s shack caught alight in Road Reserve informal settlement, Ramaphosa.
The 23-month-old baby was burnt beyond recognition, in the early hours of Saturday morning, April 25.
He was confirmed dead on the scene.
The Reiger Park SAPS spokesperson, Sgt Mashudu Phathela, confirmed that the baby was alone in the shack at the time of the horrible incident.
“His 28-year-old mother left the child alone, and went to visit her boyfriend who lives nearby. She apparently left a lit candle, which is believed to have caused the fire,” said Phathela.
One of the residents of the settlement saw the shack was in flames and alerted the emergency services.
Despite desperate attempts to save the baby, neighbours and firefighters were unable to extinguish the fire in time.
An inquest docket had been opened, and the mother was arrested and charged with child neglect.
She appeared in court on Tuesday, where she was released on free bail.
-@FanieFLK
