Investigation launched after six foreign nationals die in Eastern Cape fire.
Six foreign nationals died in a fire that broke out at a business premises in Tsomo, Eastern Cape, early Tuesday morning.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has opened an inquest into the incident, which occurred at MAA Cash and Carry on Tsomo Main Street, according to provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana.
According to Gantana, officers on patrol at about 3:40am heard a loud explosion near the Tsomo Police Station. They immediately drove to investigate and, after detecting a strong smell of smoke, they traced it to a nearby business premises, where the building was already engulfed in flames.
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.
