Four family members were reported to have died in a devastating fire in Alexandra in the wee hours of 6 April, but the cause remains unknown.
According to the Johannesburg Emergency Management Services, the incident occurred at midnight on the corner of 10th Avenue and Florence Mophosho Street.
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An investigation is underway to determine the cause of this gruesome incident, according to emergency service’s spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi. “The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services responded to multiple shacks on fire where a family of four aged between five and 29 years old lost their lives,” he said.
“They were burnt beyond recognition when their shack caught fire. The cause of the fire is still a subject of investigation at this stage. No further injuries were reported during the fire incident.” Six other shacks were completely destroyed, he added.
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City of Johannesburg Disaster Management officials arrived to assist the affected victims with much-needed relief.
Mulaudzi has urged residents throughout the City, especially in the informal settlements, to look after all their heating devices and asked them not to leave them unattended.
“We will be intensifying our fire safety door-to-door campaigns since winter is approaching us. We, therefore, would like to urge our residents to exercise extreme caution when using any heating devices at home, and not to leave them unattended to prevent these devastating fire incidents,” he concluded.
Details: robertmul@joburg.org.za or 011 222 8288.
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