Four people have been declared dead and two others are in critical condition after a fire broke out at Glenanda Shopping Centre this Friday, October 29.
According to Ward 23 councillor, Tyrell Meyers, there was live ammunition going off from the firearms’ dealer.
GLENANDA GUN SHOP – FOUR KILLED IN EXPLOSION
According to ER24, the tragedy struck just around 11:00 before emergency services arrived at the scene moments before 12:00. Four casualties have been confirmed, which include a 15-year-old boy.
“ER24 arrived at 11h55 to find the local security forces and Fire Services already in attendance, battling the blaze. Explosions could be heard coming from the store,” ER24 said.
“Three men, a woman and a 15-year-old boy that had apparently all been in the gun store, had been rescued by bystanders and pulled to a safe distance.”
Medics urgently attended to the critically injured while they fought for their lives but sadly, the four soon died after sustaining serious burn wounds and smoke inhalation.
“The two men, a woman, and a young boy, succumbed to their injuries and were declared dead.”
FIFTH EXPLOSION VICTIM STILL ALIVE
The report said another burn victim in the Glenanda gun shop explosion has a chance of surviving. The patient has been rushed to a local hospital to receive urgent medical attention.
“Three men, a woman and a 15-year-old boy that had apparently all been in the gun store, had been rescued by bystanders and pulled to a safe distance,” it said in a statement.
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said that when paramedics assessed the patients, they found them in a critical condition, with their vital signs rapidly diminishing.
“Witnesses report hearing an explosion, followed by fire emanating from the gun shop, followed by live rounds going off.”
The live rounds could be heard in a video from the scene, taken by Sarah Wissler, the provincial fundraising chairperson and branch campaign manager for Action SA.
According to Wissler, dogs at the nearby pet groomer were rescued from the scene.
The mall has been evacuated.