PHOENIX siblings Pradyumna and Prishni Harisuran were killed in a fire at their Phoenix home yesterday.

It has been alleged that the fire started after a cellphone allegedly exploded on the sofa, while it was charging.

Pradyumna, 35, and Prishni, 30, from Charclay in Clayfield, died after they became entrapped in their bedroom and bathroom on Sunday morning.

Gareth Naidoo, the head of KZN VIP Security and Emergency Services, said they were alerted to the fire around 6am.

“A devastating fire broke out in the home after a cellphone reportedly exploded on a sofa and it quickly spread throughout the house. Upon arrival, emergency services encountered a structural fire.

“Efforts to evacuate the premises were hampered as thick smoke filled the building. It is believed that two siblings were trapped. The female sibling was believed to be trapped in one of the bedrooms, and her brother was trapped in the bathroom,” said Naidoo.

He said in an attempt to escape the smoke and flames, his members and residents, who lived nearby, broke the windows of the house.

“But efforts to extricate the victims were unsuccessful due to the intensity of the flames and the smoke. We tried to break the burglar guard to get inside, but we were unsuccessful. The fire department arrived and managed to extinguish the fire. They cut the gate and door and then managed to enter the house after the fire was put out. They had to wait a while because the house was too hot to enter.

“After putting off the fire, firefighters were able to enter the home and conducted a thorough sweep of the property. The sister was pulled out from the building first.

“However, despite immediate resuscitation attempts by our medics, she was pronounced deceased at the scene. She suffered fatal third-degree burns. Her brother was thereafter extricated from the building and also received cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but tragically, the attempts were unsuccessful and he too succumbed to his injuries."

He said residents showed overwhelming support and assisted with efforts to try and rescue the siblings and control the fire.

“The use of a hosepipe and wet sand was used to limit the spread of the fire. But due to the extreme danger posed by the fire, entry was not possible without risking further loss of life.

“The authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and the subsequent fire. The tragic loss of life underscores the importance of fire safety awareness and the potential dangers of everyday electronics."

Community leader and IFP councillor in Phoenix, Jonathan Annipen, said he was amazed with the community that had rallied together to support the mother of the siblings.

“It is with sadness and deep regret that we learned of the tragic passing of two young and promising souls, who perished in a fire that gutted their home this morning. I express my heartfelt condolences to the mother of the deceased, their extended family and the community.

“Death in itself is painfully inexplicable, but when death takes our loved ones in such tragic circumstances at the prime of their lives, the heartache is all the more pungent. Our thoughts are with the mum, who lost both her children and our prayers travel to all those who are directly impacted by this colossal loss.

“It is in times like these that we depend on the warmth and comfort of our community, friends and family. I was comforted after visiting the home this afternoon and saw that the community had gathered to offer support and comfort to the siblings' mother. This is indeed the hallmark of our culture, which makes us so unique,” Annipen said.

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