Parlock Orphanage Fire started in boys' quarters

Eight people, including several children, were killed in the fire.

KZN Emergency Medical Services say four other people are receiving treatment in hospital.

eThekwini Fire's Bheki Radebe says the flames were already burning through the roof of the building when they arrived at the orphanage.

"One building was well alight, the fire had gone through the roof. One line of hose was used to extinguish it.

"To try and gain access to the building we had to use break-in tools before trying to extinguish as much as we could. The the fire had already consumed the most part of the building," he said.

Radebe says they were shocked when they opened a door while extinguishing the blaze.

"Just before we could finish extinguishing the fire we found eight bodies that were inside the building," he said.

Radebe says the other children were sitting scared outside one of the cottages on the property.

"The area has got different cottages and this one was were the boys were sleeping. It had a kitchen, dinning area and some sleeping quarters," he said.