A devastating shack fire has claimed the lives of six family members in Kwa-Thema near Springs, leaving a seven-year-old girl as the sole survivor in a tragedy that has shaken the local community.

According to residents, the fire broke out in the early hours of this morning. Community members reported hearing loud noises as the flames began to spread, reported African Reporter.

Neighbours’ desperate rescue efforts

“I heard loud banging and immediately thought there was a fight outside,” said Class Mabena, a neighbour and a close friend of the deceased family.

“When I rushed out, I realised someone was banging from inside the shack. The gate was locked, so I grabbed something to break the lock.”

Mabena described how, by the time he reached the shack, it was already engulfed in flames. Despite frantic efforts from neighbours, the fire quickly overwhelmed them.

@african_reporter The tragic fire incident has left the local community in Kwa-Thema, Marikana Ext 3 reeling with grief and searching for answers. #Duduza #fire #ekurhuleni ♬ original sound – African Reporter

“We called for help and the community came out in numbers. We tried to extinguish the fire with buckets of water, but the water was coming out too slowly from the tap.

“The area is muddy, and water pressure is very low, so even finding soil to throw on the fire was impossible,” he explained

In a desperate attempt to save those inside, community members managed to break a section of the shack’s wall. This is how they rescued the young girl.

“She was standing in the corner. When we broke through, we pulled her out. Sadly, she had already suffered severe burns,” Mabena added.

Mabena said this incident has shocked them as community members and they are wondering what could have caused the fire.

He expressed deep grief and described the incident as traumatic. The air around the scene was thick with the choking stench of smoke and scorched wood, a bitter smell that lingered long after the flames had died down.

The ground was muddy, and community members stood in sorrowful silence as the bodies were collected.

“Emergency services took a long time to arrive on the scene. By the time they got here, the damage had already been done,” said Mabena.

Family in shock and grieving

A family member and the brother of the deceased’s husband, Pencil Ndlovu said they are still in shock after being informed of the incident in the early hours of the morning.

“I was picked up by my brother, Denis Ndlovu, from my home at around 02:00. I couldn’t comprehend what he was saying to me during the drive,” he said.

“When we arrived, the shack had already burned down completely. I am honestly not okay with what has happened, and I am deeply concerned about the child who survived.

“My mother, who is 75 years old, is in terrible pain, and that worries me even more. As a family, we have not yet come to terms with this tragedy. We are still confused and in shock.”

He further explained that the family might not have enough resources to cover the funeral expenses or rebuild the home, which is essential before they can begin funeral arrangements.

He appealed to community members to lend a helping hand where possible, as the family is still trying to figure out what they may need in the coming days.

The community is now rallying together to support the survivor and mourn the lives lost in this tragic incident. DEMS media liaison officer William Ntladi said they received an emergency call about the fire around 03:00.

@african_reporterSix family members died in a house fire on May 26 in Kwa-Thema (Marikana Ext 3), according to Ekurhuleni Emergency Services spokesperson William Ntladi, who explained the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

♬ original sound – African Reporter

“Our crew from the Kwa-Thema Fire Station swiftly responded to the emergency. On arrival at the scene, they found the shack gutted by flames.

“Members of the community were also battling to extinguish the fire, but eventually we managed to contain it. During search, rescue and recovery, we discovered the entire family was actually inside underneath the rubble. Each of them unfortunately, lost their lives.

“A girl sustained critical injuries and was privately transported to a medical facility for further medical treatment,” explained Ntladi.

He added that the cause of the fire is unknown and investigations are underway. With the arrival of colder weather, DEMS recently reminded community members it is as important as ever to take extra precautions when trying to warm your home.

Fire safety tips for winter

Alternative methods to keep warm is by wearing warm clothes and wrapping yourself with a warm blanket.

The following other safety tips were provided:

• Never leave heaters unmonitored. This includes when you are sleeping.
• Never leave children alone without a responsible adult around heaters.
• Place heaters at least a meter away from combustibles (bedding, curtains, tablecloths, furniture).
• When using gas heaters or fireplaces, ensure adequate ventilation.
• Always switch off heaters and air conditioners, and extinguish fires in fireplaces when leaving the room (home or office).
• Ensure that coals are burning adequately without smoke emission before bringing into the house.
• Ensure that there is adequate ventilation so that carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and other toxic gases don’t cause harm.
• Take the brazier outside when going to bed.

In case of an emergency, the city`s Life Threatening Emergency Call Centre can be contacted on 011 458 0911, 10177 or 112, who will then dispatch the nearest rescue team.

For contributions to the family, contact Pencil on 082 069 5461.

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