Petrol poured through a broken window: Kariega teen, 17, burned as councillor candidate's home goes up in flames
Police are investigating arson after the family home of a Ward 50 councillor candidate in Kariega was set alight late on Monday night, leaving a 17-year-old girl in hospital and no one yet arrested.
A 17-year-old girl is in hospital with burn wounds after petrol was poured into her bedroom and set alight while she slept, at the Kariega home of a ward councillor candidate.
Police say the attack happened at about 22:35 on Monday night, 2 November. A window was broken, petrol was poured into a room and the room was set alight. The girl, asleep at the time, woke to the sound of the breaking window and smelled petrol. She found her room on fire and tried to put the flames out, but the fire spread.
Other family members tried to help. The fire took hold of a large part of the house, including the room next to hers.
The family, the ward councillor candidate for Ward 50 in Kariega and four other relatives, got out of the house. The daughter did not get out unburned. An ambulance took her to hospital for medical attention.
Firefighters attended, alongside several SAPS units: the Local Criminal Record Centre, Crime Intelligence, the Explosive Unit, Metro Police and the Nelson Mandela Bay District Task Team.
The case is being investigated as arson, and the docket has been handed to the NMB District Task Team. No arrests have been made at this stage.
Police have asked anyone with information to contact the investigating officer or CrimeStop on 08600 10111. Information can also be submitted through the MySAPSApp, and police say it will be treated confidentially.
