Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Screams heard as house burns

Neighbours who desperately tried to battle the flames as a house at the Sweet Home Farm settlement burnt down could hear children inside scream and bang on the house’s door.

But their efforts early yesterday morning came to nothing, as resident Gadija Blankenberg, 46, her two young children of 10 and 12 and her seven-year-old grandson burnt to death in their home.

Neighbours said they had noticed the fire at Blankenberg’s home at about 2am yesterday and had called other neighbours to help fight the blaze.

While fighting the flames, neighbours heard the screams of Blankenberg’s two children, Riedewaan and Aysha Blankenberg and her grandson, Mansoer Blankenberg.

“We heard the children screaming and banging against the door but we couldn’t help them because the door was locked with a chain and lock,” said Lindelwa Kofi, Blankenberg’s neighbour.

Police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the incident. - Cape Argus

No comments: