One foreign national was tragically killed in a devastating blaze that ripped through a local Chinese-owned supermarket along Queen Street in Ladysmith on 22 August. Alfred Duma Municipal Fire Department, along with firefighters and KZNEMS, were called to the scene after reports that people were trapped inside the building at the time of the blaze.
Three people were pulled to safety by police officers. The police officers could be seen trying to calm down the women who had been traumatised while firefighters tried to gain entrance into the premises to battle the blaze. Members of the community also forced their way onto the scene. “We are trying to save the people inside,” said one of the witnesses, who had assisted in breaking down doors and windows to see if there were any other people entrapped. Police officers were called in after reports of groups of people trying to loot the blazing building and firefighters struggling to get the blaze under control due to people gathering at the business’s entrances. Complete chaos could be seen as people tried to break into the building in an attempt to save people. “What is really scary is that people did not know how many people were inside or if they were still alive or not, thus putting their own lives into danger,” said bystanders.
Stun grenades and heavily-armed police officers were used to disperse the crowds. Other businesses around the fire cleared their goods and more police moved in. Brigadier Francis Bantham told The Ladysmith Herald that the incident was not related to any looting and that the fire had started inside. The blaze had completely destroyed King mini supermarket, Inkwezi liquors and other small businesses. Calm was restored by the responding police officers and firefighters who spent most of the evening extinguishing the blaze. An inquest will be investigated by the police and the deceased has not yet been identified. It is alleged that a group of people, who are living at the back of the businesses premises, had been cooking food when the fire broke out. The three who were injured were stabilised and taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.
