KNYSNA NEWS - It is yet to be confirmed whether the bodies of the two men who succumbed in a fatal fire in Dam-se-Bos on Tuesday 14 April will be transported to their respective countries. 

One of the victims has been identified by family as Ethiopian national Deseta Dilamo, believed to be the owner of the shop. 

The other man, allegedly a Malawian national who was working for the shop owner, has not yet been formally identified.

Reports indicate that both men attempted to escape the blaze but were unsuccessful. Knysna Police have opened an inquest docket following the discovery of the bodies in the aftermath of the fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

According to preliminary reports, emergency services were dispatched to the scene at about 03:20 after a structure was reported to be alight.

Firefighters worked to contain and extinguish the blaze before police were able to access the remains of the building.

“Upon searching the debris, officers discovered the bodies of the two men, who were declared dead at the scene,” said Southern Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Chris Spies.

According to a family member of Dilamo, they were contacted at about 02:00 and informed that a church adjacent to the spaza shop had initially caught alight.

The fire is believed to have spread to the shop while both Dilamo and his Malawian shop assistant were trapped inside.

“They were trying to save themselves and couldn’t get out; the fire was too powerful,” the family member said.

Authorities have confirmed that the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations remain ongoing.

 Police have indicated that further details will be released as more information becomes available.

 Deseta Dilamo, the shop owner who had died in the fire on 14 April. Photo: Supplied

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