A retired couple who visited We Kebi Safari Lodge in the Maltahöhe district died when a fire broke out in their family room last Wednesday night.
According to Elifas Kuwinga from the police media division who confirmed the incident, Isak Engelbrecht (76) and his wife Anna (72), together with two elderly friends, booked into the accommodation establishment late afternoon.
“They later requested some of the personnel to put on a fire in their in-house fireplace but the thatched roof caught fire minutes later,” he explained.
He added that two of the guests managed to escape the inferno whilst the Engelbrechts, unfortunately could not escape and died as a result thereof. Kuwinga also said the Namibian Police Force’s Forensic Unit will scan the scene to determine the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, Karl Swanepoel, marketing manager at We Kebi Safari Lodge, said operations are not affected at the establishment, 60km near Sesriem, despite the tragic fire incident.
He informed New Era in an interview when probed on the extent of damages incurred after the inferno: “These rooms are loose standing units, hence the rest of them did not catch fire during the unfortunate occurrence,” he explained. Swanepoel also said all bookings and reservations made at the lodge are attended to as usual and that prospecting visitors are welcome as always.
The marketing manager, in a recent press statement explained that two people perished in the fire and that their families have been notified accordingly.
“There have been no further casualties,” he added. Swanepoel expressed their heartfelt condolences to the affected families and friends.