Pensioner dies in early morning fire in Linden

Norma Semple, an 83-year-old pensioner of Block 22 Wismar, Linden, died on Monday morning after a fire of unknown origin engulfed the woman’s home. According to a police report, the woman lived alone in a fully furnished one-storey wooden structure.

On Monday morning, between 02:15hrs and 02:50hrs, her neighbour, Alita Prowell, heard a loud noise and continuous cracking sound outside which caused her to peer through her window. Then, she observed that Semple’s house was engulfed in flames.

Upon making that observation, the neighbour raised an alarm. Other neighbours sought to rescue the pensioner, but the flames prevented them from doing so.

The fire station was summoned and the fire was eventually extinguished.

Police reported that a search was carried out among the debris and the lifeless body of a female, who is suspected to be that of Norma Semple, was seen on the ground below the kitchen area burnt beyond recognition.

The body was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex. The body is currently stored at the pensioners’ funeral parlour mortuary, awaiting an autopsy.

The damages are unknown at this time. An investigation is ongoing.