Four die in Cape Town backpacker blaze

By Miriam Mannak

A massive fire that erupted in a backpackers hostel in the heart of Cape Town has killed four people and has injured at least seven travelers. Most guests were African residents, who were in town to work or study.

Five people, all Somalians, were admitted to a local hospital, of whom one was in serious condition. Suffering from facial burns, the rescue authorities said he would be transferred to a hospital specialised in burn wounds. 

The police has not yet disclosed the nationality of those who died.The bodies will only be removed after the building, which was completely gutted,  is safe to enter. 

The hostel was full when the fire broke out, which according to the police was 5 am this morning. Some of the in total seventy guests had to jump out of the windows to save their lives, other managed to escape the inferno through the doors. 

To determine the cause of the fire, forensics and arson experts are to be called in to see what had happened.