FATHER and son perished in a devastating fire.
Lucky Miya said he watched helplessly as the fire claimed the life of his friend and the man's kid.
Bongani Dondolo (33) and his three-year-old son Sipho Babu died on Saturday, 21 June, when the room they were sleeping in caught fire in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni.
Lucky (41) said he was asleep in the main house when he was woken up by a loud noise of something exploding.
He said he jumped off his bed and went outside. He saw a window from an outside room was broken and there was fire in Bongani's room.
"The fire was too strong, and I tried to use water to extinguish the raging fire. I noticed my friend and his son being covered by the fire, because the fire had already destroyed the door of the room they were sleeping in.
"They were both not moving and I helplessly watched their charred bodies. I called out neighbours to come and help me," said Miya.
He said the fire was too and they couldn't save Bongani and his son. The traumatised Lucky said he also suffered from smoke inhalation.
"I'm still traumatised because of seeing my friend and his son dying in the fire. It's so painful to see what they went through before they died. They were trapped in the fire and couldn't go out of the room," said Lucky.
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He said his friend was a good person who helped him with the running of his car wash.
"The deceased helped me to run my car wash, and that's why he was staying with me, along with his child and girlfriend. His girlfriend wasn't at home when the incident happened.
"I think a handmade heater might have caused the fire because when the firefighters extinguished the blaze, it was discovered on the side of my friend's bed.
"The also used it for cooking and to warm themselves when it's cold," said Miya.
Bongani's brother, Lwazi Dondolo (37), said his younger brother's death has left him and the family distressed.
"My young brother and nephew suffered a horrendous death, and I'm deeply saddened by what has transpired. As a family, we are struggling to come to terms with what has happened," Lwazi said.
He said that his younger brother was a friendly person.
"He loved people and was always considerate towards others."
Bongani's cousin Zandisile Dondolo said they're heartbroken by the incident.
"Cops allowed me to enter the room and I got a shock of my life when I saw the bodies of Bongani and his son. They were severely burned. Bongani's charred body was lying on the bed with his feet almost on the ground. His son was on the side of the bed. This was a horrific fire incident that claimed their lives," said Zandisile.
Ekurhuleni Disaster Emergency Management Services spokesman William Ntladi said their members from Zonkizizwe fire station swiftly responded to the corner of Brickfield Road and Jupiter Street, Katlehong, after receiving a call about a well-alight house with entrapment inside.
"On arrival, flames were knocked down, and the search and rescue were conducted following information on entrapment. Two charred bodies of an adult male and a toddler were found. Gauteng Provincial Government Ambulance Services' paramedics declared the two deceased on the scene," said Ntladi.
Ekurhuleni police spokeswoman Captain Neldah Sekgobela said an inquest case has been opened at Ramokonope cop shop and the matter is under investigation.
