A FATHER and his two sons, aged two and three, burned to death in their shack in Masenkeng squatter camp in Oukasie, near Brits, North West, yesterday.
Ceirel Martin (30) and his sons died in the fire in their sleep at about 6am.
Neighbours said they saw smoke coming from the shack and tried to wake up the family, but it was already too late.
Fire fighters were called to the scene, but they were unable to put out the blaze in time.
A resident said he was shaken from his sleep by a loud bang. Then all of the sudden there was smoke everywhere.
“I woke up my neighbours and we called the firefighters who quickly responded to our call, but it was too late,” he said.
Given Links, Ceirel’s cousin (30), said he was a humble, quiet man.
He said the family was shocked by the deaths.
“This is very sad. I cannot believe this happened,” he said.
The remains of the father and his sons were found in one bed.
Brits police spokesman Warrant Officer Mpeile Talane said an inquest docket was opened.
“The cause of the fire is still unknown.”
