TWO-YEAR-OLD TODDLER DIES IN DESPATCH SHACKS FIRE

BY NOMA-AFRIKA BENELWA

A two year old toddler has died in a fire after the family’s shack was gutted during the early hours of Sunday morning in the Kingstown informal settlement in Despatch.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said it’s alleged that at about 15 minutes after midnight, the owner of the shack  was woken by the smell of smoke and fire.

She said the man ran out of the shack to get help and was assisted by the community  members to save his family.

Colonel Naidu says a group of community members assisted, however when the shack was completely engulfed by the fire, they then realised that the little boy was not accounted for.

Sadly, little  Adriaan Leeuskieter perished in the blaze.

It is suspected that a candle may have been the cause of the fire.

Police are investigating an inquest.