A wood & iron home was completely gutted by fire in Ottawa – Verulam a short while ago (Friday).
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa arrived at the scene at approximately 18:28 and found the informal home engulfed in flames. With the use of a garden hose Reaction Officers contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to the main building.
A man arrived on scene and informed RUSA Members that he and his family were renting the informal dwelling and were not at home when the fire had started. He claimed that his home was intentionally set alight after he provided law enforcement with information regarding robbery suspects who were arrested and are currently detained. He believes the suspects accomplices torched his home in a revenge attack.
Most of his valuebles including R4500 in cash and his passport were burnt. Some household items were salvaged by bystanders who arrived at the scene shortly after the fire had started.
The fire was extinguished by the Ethekwini Fire Department upon their arrival.