Investigation launched after six foreign nationals die in Eastern Cape fire.
Six foreign nationals died in a devastating fire that engulfed a business premises in Tsomo, Eastern Cape, during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said the South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened an inquest docket following the incident, which occurred at a store identified as MAA Cash and Carry on Tsomo Main Street.
According to Gantana, officers on patrol at about 3:40am heard a loud explosive sound near the Tsomo police station. They immediately drove to investigate and, after detecting a strong smell of smoke, traced it to the business premises, where flames had already engulfed the building.
Gantana said officers rushed to the rear of the shop after learning that people were living on the property. When they arrived, they discovered that several occupants were trapped inside the burning building.
