Worker’s charred remains recovered in gutted Verulam building
The charred remains of four people were recovered in a building gutted in a fire after nine workers were allegedly locked inside a factory by their employer.
Search and Rescue teams recovered three charred remains of the workers who perished in a factory fire in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal.
The fire broke out on Saturday, 2 March. Search and rescue teams discovered the bodies on Monday, 4 March.
BODIES OF WORKERS WHO DIED IN THE VERULAM FACTORY FIRE RECOVERED
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal Nqobile Gwala said the victim’s next of kin were informed, and the DNA will be conducted.
“Police are still searching for the remaining victim. Verulam SAPS is investigating an inquest docket,” she said.
As previously reported by The South African, nine Malawian nationals were reportedly working the night shift at the furniture manufacturing business when the fire broke out at approximately 23:30 on Friday, 1 March.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) spokesperson Prem Balram said all exits and entrances were allegedly locked by their employer at the start of their shift.
“This prevented the men from escaping the inferno. The survivors provided this information and could not be confirmed by Reaction Officers,” Balram explained.
Five employees reportedly jumped out of windows from the upper level of the building. They escaped with minor injuries.