Man Arrested After 2 People Died in Deadly Fire Linked to Gas Leak at Atteridgeville's Zodwa Special School

• A man has been arrested for arson following a fatal fire at Zodwa Special School in Pretoria
• The blaze, believed to be caused by a gas leak, resulted in two deaths and four injuries
• South Africans have shared their condolences for the deceased families and shared theories of what happened

PRETORIA - The Gauteng police have arrested a man for arson after a fire claimed the lives of two people at the Zodwa Special School in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the man faces two counts of murder charges as well as attempted murder after four people were injured.

Fire breaks out in Atteridgeville after a gas leak

According to IOL, a gas leak is believed to have caused an explosion that led to the fire.

Read also

Limpopo matric pupil to appear in court for alleged murder of classmate in suspected bullying incident

Tshwane Emergency Services Department (TESD) arrived on the scene on Wednesday, 23 August and found one of the container classrooms on fire.

They found two men burnt inside the classroom and four people injured. The injured individuals were transported to the Kalafong Hospital.

Gauteng MEC for education, Matome Chiloane, said they were shocked by the fatal incident. He sent condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.

Chiloane stated that the gas leak occurred while contractors were installing mobile classrooms. He added that an investigation into what led to the explosion, reports TimesLIVE.

South Africans weigh in on the arson incident

@angie43639902 said:

"Hope at a later stage no learner will suffer smoke inhalation."

Read also

"Sad and senseless": Murder of 2 flying squad members in Northern Cape leaves Mzansi feeling sombre

@MotivationZA said:

"I stay close by this is deliberate and caused by the Tshwane strike."

@viceroy55 said:

"May their souls rest in power."

Boksburg gas leak: 3 kids among those killed by toxic gas

Briefly News previously reported that three children are among those killed by the toxic gas leak at the Angelo informal settlement near Boksburg, Gauteng.

A total of 16 people have been confirmed dead, with the youngest victim only one-year-old.

Authorities reported the mass death came after a gas cylinder allegedly containing nitric oxide leaked, resulting in residents inhaling the gas on Wednesday evening, 5 July.

Source: Briefly News