Boy dies despite father’s heroic rescue attempt

KNYSNA NEWS - Heroic is a word many residents have used to describe a father who risked his own life in a desperate attempt to save his 10-year-old son from a fatal house fire in Sanlam, Nekkies, on Monday evening, 11 May.

Despite his courageous efforts, young Mahlubandile 'Mahlubi' Mbombo tragically lost his life in the blaze, while both his parents, Mzwandile 'Shuta' Magadla and Yoliswa Mbombo, sustained severe burn wounds trying to rescue him from the blaze.

The Southern Cape Police's spokesperson, Warrant Officer Chris Spies, said the police had opened an inquest docket following the incident, which had occurred at about 19:30. "Emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene after the reports of a house fire came in. The police found three victims with severe burn wounds."

Mahlubi was declared dead on the scene and both his parents were transported to hospital for treatment.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed and remains under investigation.

Explosion heard during outage

A neighbour, Luleka Xhelinkomo, who lives a few houses away, said the tragedy had unfolded while the residents in the area were experiencing a power outage.

"I was busy lighting a fire to cook, because the electricity was off, when I suddenly heard an explosion," she recalled. "When I looked outside, I saw my neighbour's house on fire."

She said panic quickly spread through the community as flames engulfed the house. She immediately ran to a nearby shop where she had left her cellphone charging so she could alert the family members about the incident.

"I know the family very well, and I just thought I had to contact everyone and inform them about the tragedy," she said.

Community members soon gathered near the scene, many desperately trying to assist as the blaze intensified.

It has been alleged that the fire might have started after a gas stove exploded while the family was preparing dinner during the outage. However, the authorities have not officially confirmed the cause.

'All he tried to do was save his son'

A relative speaking on behalf of the family said Magadla had reportedly asked Mbombo to disconnect a gas heater and connect the gas cylinder to the stove.

"I think it may have been something with the connection that caused the stove to explode," the relative said.

According to the family, Mahlubi had already gone to sleep in his room when the fire broke out.

The relative said after the initial chaos, Magadla realised the child was still inside the burning house and immediately rushed back in to search for him.

"He went back inside calling out Mahlubi's name," the relative said. "The mother tried to get him out through the back door, but it was stuck."

Mbombo reportedly struggled to force the door open while shouting for Magadla. "When she eventually managed to open it, she found him unconscious on the floor and dragged him outside," the relative explained.

The mother attempted to run back into the house to search for her son, but the flames had already engulfed the structure.

"The people on the scene told her it was too dangerous and that they would help, but the fire was already too big."

Xhelinkomo described the aftermath as deeply traumatic. "It was clear that Magadla had burnt really badly. His clothing was stuck to his skin and it seemed like his skin was coming off. Even his face was badly burnt," she said. "All he tried to do was save his son."

The relative confirmed that Magadla had sustained severe burns to his face and both hands, and he is expected to remain in the ICU at George Hospital for at least seven days.

Mbombo was treated and monitored at the hospital before being discharged later that evening. She did not sustain physical injuries, but has been left devastated by the tragedy, the relative said.

School community pays tribute

The tragedy has also left the community at Fraaisig Primary School mourning the loss of one of its learners.

In a tribute shared on the school's Facebook page, Principal Constance Stuurman described Mahlubi as "a beautiful child who brought joy to those around him and who will be deeply missed by our school community".

The school extended condolences to the family, friends, classmates and teachers affected by the tragedy and said the educators would support the learners as they process the loss in the coming days.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit," the tribute read, quoting Psalm 34:18.

Fraaisig Primary also appealed to the broader community for a love offering to support the grieving family.

The family has thanked the community members, neighbours and the school for the support and condolences they have received since the tragedy.

At the time of going to press, no official comment had been received from the municipality regarding the incident or the cause of the fire.

The 10-year-old Mahlubandile tragically lost his life in a house fire on Monday 11 May. His house caught alight after a gas heater allegedly exploded. Photo source: Fraaisig Primary’s Facebook page