FAMILY DIE IN FIRE - Mom and three kids lose their lives in Langa blazA LANGA mother and her three minor children died when they were trapped inside their home during a devastating fire in the Siyahlala Informal Settlement.
The fire broke out around 4am during the early hours of Monday morning, when Asavela Seti, 38, and her one-year-old twin daughters and a five-year-old son were unable to escape their home as blaze swept through the community.
An estimated 15 structures were destroyed, according to the City’s Fire and Rescue Services.
Heartbroken sister Pumza Seti said that the incident has left the family devastated.
Pumza explained: “We got the news after 4am that my sister’s place is burning and that she and her children were still inside.
“I also live in Siyahlala Informal Settlement, so I am not far from her and we rushed to her place. It is very bad and we are all sad.
“This is devastating for our family, it is a lot on top of us at the moment, losing our sister and also her children. This is not a nice feeling.
“Asavela was a single mother and unemployed but she was the most kind-hearted person. She was a good person and one of the nicest people in the family. We lost a very kind person and we are going to miss her.”
Community leader Andisa Velaphi said that they are unsure what started the fire but assume that it could have been a candle.
Velaphi shared: “We do not know what started the fire but we are assuming that it was a candle but we are not sure.
“I got a call in the early hours of the morning from a resident who said that a fire broke out and when I arrived on the scene, the firefighters were still busy fighting the fire.
“They said that there is an adult and three children who passed away in the fire.
“Usually this time of the year, we have fires breaking out in Siyahlala informal settlement.”
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said it is estimated that 15 structures were destroyed leaving several people displaced.
Carelse confirmed: “Just after 4am on Monday the 1st of December, we received calls of structures alight, with people trapped inside, in the Siyahlala Informal Settlement, in Langa. Several crews were on scene and firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by 6.30am.
“Initial estimates are that 15 structures were destroyed, leaving several displaced. Sadly, an adult female and three minors were found with fatal burn wounds under the debris.
“The South African Police Service will investigate the circumstances around this incident.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that Langa police registered an inquest for investigation after the bodies of an adult female and three children were found among the debris in the early hours of Monday morning, 1 December 2025.
Twigg said: “The victims were declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. The cause of the fire is yet to be established.”
Police are appealing to anyone with any information about this incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.