Two dead, one hurt in car fires

Manenberg police have opened an inquest docket after the bodies of two people were found in a burnt-out car on Tuesday.

Residents extinguished the fire in Sabie Walk, Manenberg, at around 1am on Tuesday February 5. Firefighters found the bodies of a man, 47, and a woman whose age is unknown.

City Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jermaine Carelse said firefighters from Gugulethu had arrived on the scene to find the fire had been put out by bystanders.

Manenberg police spokesman Captain Ian Bennett said the woman’s body was still unidentified. Police have identified the man but have not released his name yet.

“An inquest case has been registered for investigation,” he said.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated case, in Allies Street, Newfields, on Thursday morning February 6, an adult male was injured when his double garage caught alight. The fire destroyed three cars and a motorbike.

Firefighters responded to the fire at 5.15am.

Mr Carelse said the man had suffered smoke inhalation and burns to his body. He was treated at the scene and taken to hospital.

“Upon arrival, crews from Ottery and Wynberg found a double garage alight, and crews proceeded to contain and limit the spread of the fire into the dwelling. Two rooms of the house sustained minimal damages. The cause of the incident is still unclear, and no other injuries were reported,” he said.

Police were not investigating the Allies Street incident, and the incidents were not related, said Captain Bennett.

Anyone with information can call Manenberg SAPS at 021 699 9400 or Philippi SAPS at 021 690 1500.