Woman arrested after two die in house fire

A woman appeared on Friday in the Lüderitz Magistrate's Court in connection with the deaths of a father and his two-year-old daughter, who died after a fire destroyed their home on 28 January.

The accused, Lucia Joel, 18, sobbed uncontrollably during the proceedings,, and a court officer, Ruusa Paulus, consoled her as she was escorted to the police holding cells.

Joel appeared before magistrate Whitney Chaka on charges of murder, an alternative charge of culpable homicide and arson. The case was adjourned to 2 February for bail consideration. Lawyer Jonathan Olivier represented Joel, while Roswitha Tjipurua appeared for the State.

Police Deputy Commissioner Nicodemus Mbango confirmed that the fire claimed the lives of Simon Fillipus Nghituwamata, 38, and his daughter Hilaria Ndeufa Grace Simon, 2, in the Amilema suburb of Lüderitz. The next of kin has been informed.

According to the preliminary police report, Joel reportedly built a fire at 7:30 to cook near the home. Passersby reportedly warned her that the flames posed a risk, but she left the fire unattended to fetch water from a communal water point.

"When she returned, the house where the deceased were asleep had caught fire. The suspect and neighbours attempted to extinguish the flames, which spread quickly,” Mbango said.

By the time the Lüderitz Fire Brigade arrived, the house was completely engulfed in flames.

The bodies of the victims were taken to Keetmanshoop State Hospital for post-mortem examinations to establish the cause of death.

Valentino Sankwasa, representing the family, confirmed that the funeral will be held in Okalongo in northern Namibia.