Six boys were burnt beyond recognition at an initiation schoolhouse in Mtasane, East London, the Eastern Cape health department said on Saturday.
Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the boys were staying at an initiation makeshift house when it caught fire on Friday night.
Kupelo said the boys were not part of the initiation group, but were only lodging at the shelter that was made up of plastic bags and sticks.
”The initiator and his group of boys were not in the shelter when the fire broke out and they could not rescue them as the fire was vicious,” he said.
”The fire may have started after the boys tried to keep themselves warm.”
Kupelo said none of the deceased had been identified as their next of kin had not been notified as yet. — Sapa