VIDEO: 4 children die in Mayfair house fire
The fire, believed to have been caused by a heating appliance, has prompted urgent safety warnings from Johannesburg emergency services as freezing temperatures approach.
A devastating house fire on May 19 claimed the lives of four children in Mayfair.
According to the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Emergency Management Services (EMS), firefighters responded to the blaze shortly after 11:00.
On arrival, they found the house engulfed in flames and immediately began firefighting and search-and-rescue operations.
@southern.courier As the cold front hits, Joburg EMS urges caution after a deadly house fire claims the lives of four toddlers in Mayfair. Read full story on southerncourier.co.za #JoburgNews #MayfairFire #WinterAlert ♬ original sound – Southern Courier
The team recovered the bodies of four children, all aged two years and younger, from the home.
Gauteng EMS paramedics confirmed that all four had died at the scene, likely because of smoke inhalation.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a heating appliance in use before the fire began caused the fire.
The EMS Fire Investigation Unit remained on site to determine the exact cause.
After this tragedy, Johannesburg EMS has urged residents to use heating appliances with caution.
The South African Weather Service warned of significantly colder temperatures starting on May 21, continuing through the week.
Contact the CoJ Emergency Call Centre at 011 375 5911 for life-threatening emergencies.
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SAPS is advising the public to adopt and put into practice the following fire safety precautions, particularly given the bitterly cold temperatures lately:
Never light a fire inside a house or shack
Remember to never smoke in bed or leave candles burning at night and go to sleep while the stove or heater is on.
Never leave your kitchen unattended while cooking
The time it takes for a fire to start is short. Ask someone to look at the pot for you if you must leave the kitchen for any reason at all, or simply turn everything off until you return.
Inspect your heating sources
If your home’s heating systems are malfunctioning or if you go to sleep with the heaters on, a house fire could start. Use electric blankets with extra caution.
Any flammable items should be stored properly
Household cleaners and items such as hairspray or shaving cream may be very hazardous if exposed to a source of heat. Always store these safely in a cool area away from any heaters.
Read more tips here: SAPS shares safety tips to prevent fires
