Man dies after fire guts shack in Palm Ridge in Ekurhuleni

A man, believed to be 55 years old, has died in a shack fire in Ekurhuleni.

It is understood that a blaze broke out in Palm Ridge, on the East Rand, on Monday night.

Body discovered

Ekurhuleni Emergency Services spokesperson Katlego Mphalele said they received a call about the blaze just before midnight.

“At approximately 23:39 pm, our call centre received a distress call and dispatched two fire stations (3 and 4) to the scene at No 16050 Manyovu Avenue Extension 9, Palm Ridge. Upon arrival, firefighters found a one-room shack fully engulfed in flames.

“Firefighting efforts were immediately initiated, and the fire was successfully brought under control. A search operation commenced after extinguishing the flames, leading to the discovery of a charred body in the room. The body is believed to be that of a 55-year-old male, the occupant of the shack,” Mphalele said.

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Mphalele said the man was declared dead by Gauteng provincial ambulance services.

“Fire safety and Saps will continue the fire investigation. Communities are reminded to use heating appliances with caution during this winter.”

Marikana shack fire

On Monday, a shack fire claimed the lives of six family members in Kwa-Thema Marikana Extension 3.

Ekurhuleni media liaison officer William Ntladi said they received an emergency call about the fire around 3am.

“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.”

Tragedy

A seven-year-old girl was the sole survivor in the heart-wrenching tragedy that has shaken the local community.

“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 said the fire has shocked the community, and they are wondering what could have caused the blaze.

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