Mom, children die in Katlehong house fire
DEMS rushed to the scene of a house fire in Katlehong.
Frantic intervention by Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) firefighters couldn’t save three family members from perishing after their home was gutted by flames on Friday in Katlehong.
The call regarding the RDP house fire in Dikole section was received by the metro’s life-threatening emergencies call centre at 8.55pm.
Firefighters from the Palm Ridge and Zonkizizwe fire stations responded promptly to the scene.
“Upon arrival flames were blazing from the bedroom and the entire roof had already collapsed,” said William Ntladi, district manager media liaison for DEMS.
“Information received on scene stated the family was still trapped inside.
“After extinguishing the fire, search and rescue operations commenced and the charred bodies of a toddler believed to be three months old, a four-year-old boy and their mother, in her mid-30s, were found in the burnt bedroom.”
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The scene was handed over to the police for further investigation.
“The cause of the fire is still the subject of investigation, however, it is alleged to have been caused by an electrical heater left unmonitored,” Ntladi said.
Ntladi urged the community to call 011 458 0911 in the case of any life-threatening emergencies for the swift activation and intervention of relevant resources.
Alternatively, use the national emergency toll-free number, which is 10177 or 112 (from a cellphone).
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