A New Amsterdam pensioner died in a fire yesterday after apparently leaving his gas stove on.
Dead is Oscar Liddle, 75, of Pilot Street, New Amsterdam.
According to information gathered, the New Amsterdam Fire Service received a call just around 6 am yesterday informing it that the wooden house where Liddle resided was on fire.
Two tenders immediately responded to the fire and after some time the blaze was extinguished.
Upon further investigation, firefighters discovered Liddle’s burnt remains on his bed in one of the bedrooms.
According to residents, they first noticed smoke emanating from the yard around 5.30 am but did not raise an alarm as they thought the elderly man, who resided alone, was burning garbage. It was only until they noticed flames coming from the house that the fire service was informed.
Liddle’s son told investigators that his father would get up in the morning and make his tea after which he would relax for a bit before starting his day.
According to a source at the fire service, the fire started in the kitchen and it is suspected that the elderly man had left the gas stove on after making his tea.
Liddle was described as a quiet and hardworking individual.
Investigations are continuing.
