South Africa
Woodstock explosion claims lives─── 07:56 Mon, 26 Sep 2022
Police say the two people who sustained injuries in an explosion at a Woodstock shop have died over the weekend.
The blaze broke out at a shop on the corners of Victoria and Plein Street on Thursday.
Prelim investigations indicate that the fire was caused by a gas leakage.
It’s understood that one of the victims was the owner of the shop.
The police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi says they’ve opened an inquest for further investigation.
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“Reports suggested that a fire started inside the shop on the corner of Victoria and Plein Street in Woodstock at around 19:55. Two males were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment as a result of serious burn wounds sustained. We can confirm that both victims are now declared deceased”.
News24 reported fire and rescue department inspectors found two 48kg gas bottles. This was in contravention of safety by-laws, which limit gas canisters to 19kg.
The cannisters were connected to a two-plate cooking gas stove, said the City of Cape Town's mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith.
He added residents could feel the explosion when the building went up in flames.
Police are investigating the circumstances around the incident.
