Two found dead in suspected double suicide following Alberton apartment fire
A tragic fire in an Alberton apartment claimed the lives of two people early Wednesday.
Image: Supplied
The charred bodies of two people were recovered from an apartment in Alberton on the East Rand after a fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A note found on the kitchen table suggested a possible case of death by suicide.
The City of Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services (CoE EMS) confirmed the fatal fire at the Jackson Cove units in Elans Rock - San Cres, Alberton.
Authorities suspect the incident may have been a double suicide.
EMS spokesperson Tikkie MacDonald said emergency services received a call reporting a structural fire at approximately 01:30am.
“Firefighting crews from the Alberton Fire Station were immediately dispatched to the scene,” MacDonald said.
Upon arrival, firefighters found two units involved in the blaze: the bottom flat and the one directly above it.
“Firefighters acted swiftly to extinguish the fire, successfully preventing it from spreading to surrounding residential units,” MacDonald added.
During the primary search and overhaul operations, the charred bodies of two occupants were discovered in a two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor.
Both were declared dead at the scene by Gauteng Emergency Medical Services personnel from Germiston.
“A note was reportedly found on the kitchen table, suggesting a possible case of death by suicide,” MacDonald said.
Fire investigation officials from CoE EMS were called to determine the exact cause and origin of the fire.
The scene was subsequently handed over to the South African Police Service from Moffat View, which is now conducting a full investigation, MacDonald added.
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