DURBAN – A five-year-old child allegedly fled a double-storey house fire in Avoca, north of Durban, on Wednesday afternoon.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said one of their members was travelling along Nandi Drive at approximately 1.24pm when he noticed smoke billowing from the home.
The officer called for additional backup and responded to the property on Mill Road in Avoca, where he found the upper level engulfed in flames, said Balram.
“The public initially informed reaction officers that a five-year-old boy was trapped in the house. Rusa members conducted a search for the minor and found him running on Mill Road,” Balram said.
“He stated that he was alone in the house when the fire started and fled in search of his father who had proceeded to a local tuck shop. Firefighters arrived on the scene and extinguished the blaze. A portion of the roof collapsed. No injuries were reported.”
Balram added that the cause of the fire was not established.
EThekwini Fire and Emergency division commander Jay Kanniappen said they were called to the scene before 1.30pm.
“The fire had breached the roof and the first floor was completely gutted,” Kanniappen said.
He said they had the fire under control within 10 minutes.
Kanniappen said all persons were accounted for.
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