Prishni Harisuran who died after their house caught fire in Phoenix on Sunday morning.
Image: Supplied
Pradyumna Harisuran, 35, who died in a horrific fire on Sunday morning in Phoenix. Picture.
Image: Supplied
A FIRE in a confined space at a Phoenix home claimed the lives of two siblings, "in the prime of their lives", yesterday morning.
The exact details of how Prishni 30 and her brother Pradyumna Harisuran, 35, succumbed to the fire that engulfed their home in Clayfield was yet to be established, and it has left their family and community members puzzled and perplexed.
A family representative confirmed their "heartbreaking loss". “We can confirm that we lost two beloved cousins who died during a house fire.”
However, the family representative was reluctant to provide further details, out of respect for the family's request for privacy as they mourn their loved ones.
It is believed that the siblings were trapped inside as the blaze cut a path of destruction and the effort of resident to save the siblings came to naught as the fire completely gutted the Harisuran family home.
Local leaders have also expressed their shock and condolences to the family of the deceased.
The gutted remains of a home that caught fire in Phoenix and claiming the lives of two siblings, Pradyumna Harisuran and his sister Prishni Harisuran,
Image: Picture: Supplied.
IFP councillor Jonathan Annipen said: “It is with sadness and deep regret that we learned of the tragic passing of two young and promising souls who perished in a fire which gutted their home this (Sunday) morning.”
Annipen said the deaths has left a "profound void", especially for their mother, who has lost both her children under tragic circumstances, in the prime of their lives when the siblings had so much ahead of them.
"In such tragic circumstances, the heartache is all the more pungent,” Annipen remarked.
He said the community has since rallied together in support of the Harisuran family.
Vinesh Govender, a local resident, said: “We were awoken by screams of the family. We rushed to the scene to try and help, but our efforts were not enough as the two young people later died. We convey our deepest condolences to the family, their friends and everyone who knew them.”
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the incident.
“Initial investigations have confirmed that the fire started in the kitchen and although the deceased had burn wounds, the cause of death was suspected to be smoke inhalation,” Netshiunda said.
“Police in Phoenix have registered two counts of inquest.”
Meanwhile, IOL reported that a woman was critically burnt after allegedly igniting a fire in a confined space.
“Upon arrival, emergency crews found a critically injured patient who had sustained extensive burns after igniting a fire in a confined space,” said Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Robertson.
“Given the severity of the patient’s condition, Midlands EMS paramedics initiated immediate advanced life support treatment to stabilise the individual.”
Robertson said the woman was airlifted to a Level 1 trauma hospital due to the severity of the burns and the need for urgent specialised care.
WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995
DAILY NEWS