A cleric, his wife and their 3 children have been confirmed dead following a fire incident that reportedly consumed a Methodist Church mission house in South Africa.
The incident took place at around midnight, in the Askeaton neighborhood of Cala, in the Eastern Cape, on Thursday, November 3, 2022
Detectives are currently investing the cause of the fire, according to Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana, a police spokesperson who confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, “Preliminary investigation revealed that a member of the community alerted the police to the burning house in which there were five people. As the police arrived, they indeed found the alleged house in the blaze with members of the family inside.
“The firefighters who were also at the scene managed to extinguish the blaze but the family could not be saved as they had already died inside the house. Only one person believed to be a domestic worker aged 28 was rescued. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical care.
“The deceased family members include a husband and wife age 29 and 46, together with three children one girl and two boys aged between 3 and 11.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently under investigation. An Inquest docket has been registered
“Anyone with information regarding the cause of the fire, is requested to please make contact with Cala Police Station on 047 877 0132 or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Tip-offs can be submitted by using the My SAPS App.”
Meanwhile, Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has expressed his deepest sympathies to Reverend Mphithi’s family.
Mabuyane said, “We are saddened by this tragic news and send our heartfelt condolences to the Cleric family and friends. It is a tragic loss not only for the family but the Methodist Church and the entire Cala community who have been receiving pastoral care and support from the reverend. We extend our condolences to them as well.”