Six foreign nationals killed in Eastern Cape store fire

Six foreign nationals died in a devastating fire that engulfed a business premises in Tsomo, Eastern Cape, during the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said the South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened an inquest docket following the incident, which occurred at a store identified as MAA Cash and Carry on Tsomo Main Street.

According to Gantana, officers on patrol at about 3:40am heard a loud explosion near the Tsomo Police Station. They immediately drove to investigate and, after detecting a strong smell of smoke, they traced it to a nearby business premises, where the building was already engulfed in flames.

Gantana said officers rushed to the rear of the shop after learning that people were living on the property. When they arrived, they discovered that several occupants were trapped inside the burning building.

Together with private security personnel and members of the local community, police attempted to gain access to the premises to rescue those trapped. Despite their efforts, only one person managed to escape the inferno, while six others died inside the building.

“Firefighters arrived on the scene and despite challenges posed by thick smoke and rainy weather, they managed to extinguish the blaze, and all six burnt bodies were recovered,” said Gantana.

Police said the deceased have since been identified by their employer as foreign nationals.

Emergency Medical Services, SAPS members, Provincial Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) officers and members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) were among the emergency personnel who responded to the incident.

Authorities have opened an inquest to determine the cause of the fire

Police said that, at this stage, there is no indication of foul play, and investigations remain ongoing.

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