Spike in winter fires prompts urgent alert from DEMS
As winter cold grips Ekurhuleni, nine lives have been lost in just one week due to house and shack fires. DEMS is urging residents to follow critical fire safety guidelines to avoid further tragedy—especially in high-risk informal settlements.
As temperatures drop, fire-related fatalities are on the rise, prompting the city’s DEMS to issue urgent safety advice to help prevent further tragedies.
In one week, nine people have lost their lives in four separate house fires across the city.
The following fatal incidents were recently recorded:
• Delmore informal settlement, Boksburg (May 21): One adult died when his shack was engulfed in flames.
• Marikana informal settlement, Kwa-Thema (May 25): six members of one family were killed in a devastating fire. Only a seven-year-old girl survived, sustaining serious injuries.
• Palm Ridge Ext 9 (May 26): A 55-year-old man did in a shack fire just before midnight.
“Understanding how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your properties during winter will make a difference in staying safe and alive,” says DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi.
Winter safety tips
• Keep combustible materials at least one meter away from heating appliances;
• Monitor the heating appliances continuously. Never leave children alone around them;
• Braziers (Mbaula) shouldn’t be placed inside the homes without enough ventilation. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide poisoning are eminent;
• Don’t overload braziers with heavy pots. Doors and/or windows should be opened to allow circulation of fresh air inside;
• Place braziers on the stable level surface;
• Due to intense wind speed and dry, dense vegetation, veld fires are quite eminent. They might run out of control at an alarming speed and bring devastating results;
• Don’t make open fires before consulting with fire department,
• Don’t throw lit cigarette buds away. The possibilities of veld fires are very high.
For any life-threatening emergencies, the public is advised to contact the city on the following numbers:
• 011 458 0911 (Charged at normal call rates)
• 10177 (Toll Free from a landline)
• 112 (Free from any cellphone)
