The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) responded to a multiple shack fire on the corner of 4th and 5th Avenue on 15 July at around 8pm in Marlboro.
EMS spokesman, Robert Mulaudzi, said the fire gutted 120 shacks and claimed the life of a one-year-old who succumbed to smoke inhalation and sustained burns all over their body.
“The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage and our team will be investigating to determine the cause of the fire,” said Mulaudzi.
He added that the City’s Disaster Management officials were working tirelessly to ensure that relief was brought to the victims and the impact of their losses is reduced to a minimum.
Mulaudzi urged residents to be cautious during cold fronts.
“As EMS, we have already launched our Winter Fire Safety Campaign in the beginning of June targeting all our most vulnerable communities, our 189 informal settlements throughout the city, and will continue with our efforts throughout the winter season,” he said.
He added that the aim of the campaign is to educate the public on ways to avoid risk of fire in order to reduce loss, injuries and even fatalities.
Read: Homeless taken in by City after fire
Twitter users reacted to the fire in Marlboro:
A structural fire incident was reported yesterday in Marlboro, at a hijacked factory that housed 120 shacks.
— Gauteng ANC (@GautengANC) July 16, 2017
@gwalax Marlboro fire – where are the corporates that were donating millions for the "insured" in Kysna? #justasking
— Zakhele Nkosi (@Zak_Legend) July 17, 2017
1000 people saved when @CityofJoburgEMS responded to indoor stack fire in Marlboro. Displaced dwellers have recieved food n blanket from DM
— Joburg Public Safety (@CoJPublicSafety) July 16, 2017
Here are some of the safety tips that the City of Joburg issued.
Candle safety tips:
1. Keep candles away from children
2. A child should not be left unattended in a room with a candle
3. Store candles, matches and lighters away from the reach of children
4. A candle should not be used to light stoves
5. A candle should not be used in a confined space
Braizers or Imbaula should be used in a well ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide inhalation, before you go to bed take it outside.
Read: #ICYMI: Investigation into cause of #JHBfire begins
Paraffin:
1 .Put your paraffin stove on a flat surface where it cant fall or get knocked over
2. Use safe containers to store paraffin eg. safety cap bottles
Before you go to bed or out
1. Never go to bed or out with a candle or paraffin lamp is still burning
2. Switch off heaters and stoves at the plug before going to bed or out
3. Always put out cigarettes carefully. Do not smoke in bed
For any life threatening emergencies call 10177 on a Telkom landline or 112 on your Cellphone or 011 375 5911
