Mom, dogs found dead after blaze

2010-07-19 16:18

Johannesburg - Two children, aged 2 and 4, and their mother died in a house fire in Norwood, Johannesburg emergency services said on Monday.

The fire was reported at 21:30 on Sunday, said spokesperson Percy Morokane.

The bodies of the children were found on the ground floor of the double-storey house.

"After the fire was contained, the double-storey house was declared unsafe, so we could not go in and look for the mother."

Later on Monday, emergency workers and the police dog unit started searching for her. Her body was found in an upstairs bedroom.

The family's two dogs also died in the blaze.

The father apparently jumped from a window to escape the fire.

It was unclear how the blaze started.

"Neighbours and a security guard said they heard an explosion, so we are not sure right now. It will take time for forensics to establish the cause of the fire, because the house was completely burnt down."

- SAPA