West Ruimveldt man burnt to death in house by abusive wife

According to eyewitnesses, several of them rushed over and managed to pull the woman from the house. She reportedly told them that she was the only one home, but her husband's body was found when the fire was extinguished. 

West Ruimveldt man burnt to death in house by abusive wife

The Fire Service was called to the scene of a tragic fire in West Ruimveldt late on Sunday night where they discovered the badly burnt, lifeless body of a man, who has been identified as Christopher Bramble. aka “Harry”.  Police investigators are treating the case as murder.

Neighbours gathered on the scene explained that the man and his wife lived in a very abusive relationship, but he was the victim.

It is suspected that the wife after beating the man, who might have been drunk, set fire to the house from the inside.

Persons who rushed to the scene after seeing the fire, said the door to the small wooden cottage was padlocked and chained.  They managed to break out a few boards from the side of the house to gain access.

Although some reported that they heard the man screaming for help, his reputed wife, Joel Coats, told them that she was the only one in the house. They pulled her to safety.

However,  her husband’s charred body was found among the debris when the fire was extinguished.

The woman had several burns about the body and has since been admitted to the hospital.  She did not say much after being pulled from the blaze.

But neighbours expressed outrage and explained to investigators that the woman was always abusive to the man.

He was reportedly stabbed by her once and was also beaten on several occasions. But he stayed in the relationship.

An upset friend of the man who turned up on the scene, said he repeatedly told the man to leave the woman, but he stayed with her.  He said it was hard to believe that “Harry” was now dead.

Police and Fire Investigators are expected to return to the scene this morning to continue their probe.

 

(Mikhail Rodrigues photos)

 

 

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