Barkly West resident dies in shanty fire on New Year's Day

A Barkly West resident died after his shanty caught alight during the early hours of New Year's Day.

A community member said the deceased's girlfriend and her children went to look for him and had to break open the shanty as it had been locked from the inside.  

He believed that the deceased could have fallen asleep where an unattended candle caused the fire. 

"Neighbours apparently put out the fire but were not aware that there was someone trapped inside. They found the deceased had burnt to ashes." 

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Litabe said the police in Barkly West were investigating an inquest docket following the death of a 49 year old man on January 1 at about 12..30am.

"The police were called to a scene on Thursday after the man allegedly burnt beyond recognition in his shanty. The cause of the blaze is unknown. Investigation continues," he added.