Eastern Cape Provincial police commissioner, Lt General Liziwe Ntshinga says she has learnt with shock of five people who had burnt beyond recognition in Dutywa.
Butterworth police spokesperson, Captain Jackson Manatha says it is alleged that the victims were sleeping inside a family café at Mputhi Village, when a fire broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning.
He says four of the deceased, an 18-year old woman, a 14-year old boy, a 7-year old boy and a 3-year old girl were family members, while the fifth victim, an 18-year old woman was a family friend.
Manatha says the cause of the fire is still unknown, and Lt General Ntshinga has instructed Dutywa Police to properly investigate the case and leave no stone unturned.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
