Fire claims a life in Athlone

By Khanyisa Tabata
12 March 2011

One person has died and three others have been injured after a fire broke out in an apartment building in Atlone.

ER24 spokesperson Andre Visser says the fire started on the second floor of the four story apartment building causing the two floors above the fire to be engulfed by smoke.

“When ER24 paramedics arrived at the scene local fire and rescue services were already attending to the structural fire. A woman believed to be in her fifties was overcome by smoke whilst attempting to exit her apartment.

“She was later removed from the building by fire and rescue workers. She had sustained significant smoke inhalation and died shortly after arriving at the hospital,” said Visser.

Three other people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation before being transported to nearby medical facilities. The cause of the fire is still unknown, but will be investigated by the appropriate authorities added Visser.