Deadly orphanage fire kills seven children, one teenager
An eight year old boy was the youngest of seven children who died in a fire that broke out at the Key of Hope orphanage in Durban, South Africa, reports say.
A 19-year-old was also killed in the fire which, officials say, tore through the boys section of the orphanage, Thursday morning.
It took four hours to put out the blaze, the cause of which is still being investigated.
18 people were in the building when the fire started, an official of the orphanage is quoted as saying.
“There were also two child care workers at the cottage at the same time. Both of them were also rescued. Ten other children were also rescued,” she said.
“Three children were treated for cuts and smoke inhalation.
“There are trauma social workers who are here counselling the survivors of the accident, as well as the staff who are working here who are also very traumatised.”
The centre, established to cater for the needs of 60 children between the ages of 6 years to 18 years who are abused, neglected and abandoned, has been in existence since 1958..
