Deadly Durban house fire ‘started in lounge’
Firefighters say a preliminary investigation into a fire that engulfed a Durban home on Monday shows that it began in the lounge, but it's still not known how it started.
An elderly man and his two-year-old grandson were killed in this morning's blaze in Brookdale in Phoenix.
Their bodies were found in the kitchen.
Divisional commander for the eThekwini Fire Naren Birrjalal says they both died of severe burns and asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation.
READ: Man, toddler killed in Phoenix house fire
"What could have happened is due to the being fully burnt, the occupant could have been trapped, and they were unable to come out. So they must have lost their way while in the smoke to it made difficult for them to come out."
Birrjalal says the entire house was gutted.
KZN police have confirmed that a double inquest has been opened.
