They screamed in pain as the flames burnt their flesh. They tried to run away but the unstoppable fire mercilessly consumed their flesh until their bodies were reduced to ashes. One body was found in the lounge whereas another tiny body was found in the bathroom.

This is the painful story of brothers Fulufhelo Thanyani (20) and Lindelani Thanyani (10) who lost their lives when their 26-roomed double-storey family house caught fire at Dzwerani village, outside Thohoyandou, last Friday night. Nothing came out of the house and the damage is estimated at R1,8 million. The cause of the fire is still a mystery.

Fulufhelo was a Grade 12 learner at the local Ndaedzo High School whereas his sibling was in Grade 3 at Mahematshena Primary School. The dead brothers´ father and business tycoon, Mr Elliot Thanyani (57), said he was asleep when the fire broke on the ground floor. His wife, Josephine, was attending a late church gathering at the time of the incident. Elliot said he heard a banging sound at about 22:00 and thought it was his wife, returning from church.

He added: "I went to sleep early that evening but I had had a bad feeling the whole day. My children were sleeping downstairs and I never thought that something bad would happen to them. I then heard noises outside the house and woke up. When I opened the curtains, I was surprised to notice that the house was on fire. I went out in my pyjamas and went out through the downstairs garage door. I heard my children screaming while the fire was growing stronger but there was nothing I could do. I could see everything going up in flames while my children continued to scream. After sometime, they stopped screaming and I only continued crying for their safety. When the fire brigade arrived, a lot of damage had already been done and my children’s bodies were found in the house."

Elliot says it is very hard to accept the death of his children as he was expecting more things from them in future. "My heart bleeds with pain and I will never forget this incident. Imagine the pain of losing two children at the same time and the sorrow of your house being destroyed by the cruel flames. I am thankful for the support I am getting from the community since the incident befell the family."

Insp Elijah Malatjie of the Vuwani Police confirmed the incident. He further confirmed that the cause of the fire is not known but police investigations are continuing. He added that police have opened two inquest dockets following the death of the two brothers.

* The Mayor of Thulamela Municipality, Khosi Thivhulawi Makumbane, visited the bereaved family on Saturday morning.