Two minor children were on Monday morning burned beyond recognition in a shack that was gutted by fire in the Blikkiesdorp informal settlement at Grootfontein.

Spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the Otjozondjupa Region, Inspector Maureen Mbeha, in an interview with Nampa on Monday said the two siblings were identified as nine-year-old Willy Elias and six-year-old Anna Elias.

The incident occurred between 08h00 and 09h00. The cause of the fire is still unknown to the police, Mbeha added.

“It is alleged that the two children were left alone in the shack after their mother had gone to fetch firewood in the bushes behind Blikkiesdorp,” said Mbeha.

She added that the shack was found locked from outside by members of the public who arrived at the shack after the fire broke out.

Two separate inquest dockets were opened on the same day in connection with the incident at the Umulunga Police Station.

Police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency