A woman in her nineties died after her backyard room in Blouborsie Street, Windmill Park, caught fire on October 23.
According to Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson William Ntladi, DEMS received a call about the fire at around 20:32.
Firefighters from the Vosloorus Fire Station were first to respond, with backup crews from Boksburg Central joining soon after due to the intensity of the flames.
“The huge flames were threatening the main building and neighbouring structures,” said Ntladi.
Thirteen firefighters were deployed to the scene. Two hose lines were used to suppress the blaze while crews conducted search-and-rescue operation after reports indicated that someone was trapped inside.
The charred remains of the woman were discovered beneath collapsed and burnt building material. Paramedics declared her dead on the scene.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations are ongoing.
DEMS provided the following safety tips to prevent fires:
• Don’t smoke in enclosed or confined spaces.
• Don’t smoke in bed.
• Don’t discard lit cigarette butts haphazardly. Chances of setting fire are high.
• When using an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) stove for cooking or heating, ensure there are no gas leaks.
• Use SANS (South African National Standards) or SABS-approved gas cylinders, pipes, and appliances – never garden hose pipes.
• Only qualified and certified LPG installers are allowed to install gas pipelines and appliances.
• Housekeeping is of paramount importance.
• Install a smoke or fire alarm to alert occupants in case of a fire.
• Only qualified and certified electricians should connect electrical wiring in a house.
• In the absence of electricity, when using paraffin lamps, stoves, or portable generators, use appropriate funnels to refill fuel (petrol/diesel/paraffin), and only refill when the appliance is cold.
• Don’t use makeshift appliances.
• Generators should be placed in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide poisoning.
• Lamps should be placed in the centre of a table on a flat surface.
• Avoid placing lamps or candles next to open windows and curtains.
• If there are crawling babies in the house, keep a close watch on them, as they could easily pull on tablecloths and cause accidents.
