Children killed in shack fire
MIDRAND – Four young children between the ages of two and five lost their lives in a shack fire in Ivory Park.
City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) responded to a shack fire incident in Ivory Park Ext 2 in the early hours of 16 October.
Four young children between the ages of two and five years lost their lives when they were burnt beyond recognition.
EMS’ media liaison officer, Robert Mulaudzi said, “At this stage the cause of the fire is still unknown, however, our fire investigating team will be investigating to determine what might be the cause of the fire.”
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Mulaudzi urged community members to look after their heating and lighting appliances such as paraffin stoves, candles and imbaula (a homemade fire tin similar to a fireplace) and to use these appliances in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide inhalation. He also urged the community to never leave fires or appliances unattended.
The incident occurred days after an International Fire Awareness Week event was held from 10 to 14 October at Leeuwhof informal settlement in Emfuleni Local Municipality.
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The Gauteng Pier Working Group, which consists of all fire services in Gauteng, together with the Gauteng Provincial Fire and Rescue Directorate commemorated International Fire Awareness Week by conducting door-to-door campaigns in most of the vulnerable communities in Gauteng.
Mulaudzi said the aim of the campaign was to educate the communities about fire safety and to create a culture of fire safety throughout Gauteng.
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