Six foreign nationals die after early-morning store fire in Tsomo, Eastern Cape

Six foreign nationals died when a shop was engulfed in flames in Tsomo, Eastern Cape, during the early hours of Tuesday, police said. The fire broke out at a store identified as MAA Cash and Carry on Tsomo Main Street, and authorities have opened an inquest docket.

How the fire unfolded

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said officers on patrol heard a loud explosion at about 3:40am near the Tsomo Police Station and proceeded to investigate. After detecting a strong smell of smoke, they traced it to the nearby business premises, by then already engulfed in flames.

Rescue attempts and casualties

Gantana said officers went to the rear of the shop after learning people were living on the property and found several occupants trapped inside. Police, private security personnel and members of the local community attempted to gain access to the premises to rescue those trapped.

Despite those efforts, only one person managed to escape, while six others died inside the building.

“Firefighters arrived on the scene and despite challenges posed by thick smoke and rainy weather, they managed to extinguish the blaze, and all six burnt bodies were recovered,”

Gantana said.

Emergency response and investigation

Emergency Medical Services, SAPS members, Provincial Crime Scene Investigation officers and members of the Local Criminal Record Centre were among the personnel who responded to the incident. Police said the deceased were identified by their employer as foreign nationals.

Authorities have opened an inquest to determine the cause of the fire. Police said that “at this stage, there is no indication of foul play, and investigations remain ongoing.”