A fire in a building at the TransNamib train station in Mariental claimed the lives of one child and one adult between midnight and 01:00 Tuesday morning.
Namibian police regional commander, Commissioner Andries van der Byl confirmed the incident on Tuesday and identified the deceased as Audrey Tsei-Tseis, 31, and one-year-old Zayn Skreywer.
It is understood that the family resided in the building at the station that caught fire.
The family of six was reportedly asleep when the building caught fire. Three people were admitted to the Mariental State Hospital for treatment and their conditions are stable, said Van der Byl.
One person escaped unhurt.
NamPol Hardap Region duty officer, Inspector Michael Beukes told Nampa it is suspected that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. “Early investigations show that they were asleep when the fire broke out, but we are waiting for our forensic team from Windhoek to investigate the exact cause of the fire. It appears as if the female victim used her body to cover the baby. We found her slumped on the infant victim,” Beukes said.
TransNamib Spokesperson Ailly Hangula-Paulino told this agency that NamPol and the State-owned rail carrier were investigating the matter.
“The fire has been reported to us. We are getting more information from the Namibian Police and we will provide a detailed report later this afternoon,” she said.
NAMPA
Category: