Qacha’sNek, Aug. 29—A 90-year-old disabled man from Ha Mpiti, Ha Mosola has died from suspected smoke inhalation after a paraffin lamp reportedly fell and ignited part of his bedding last night.
The man, who lost both legs in a mining accident and relied on a wheelchair or crawled was unable to escape from his locked sleeping hut during the incident.
According to Detective Inspector Thabo Setenane, head of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at Qacha’sNek Police Station, the scene examination showed that a plastic chair where the lamp was usually placed was completely burned, the bedding partially burnt, and a paraffin lamp was found under the bed.
“There were no external injuries on the body. It is suspected he succumbed to excessive smoke inhalation,” Detective Inspector Setenane said.
