Shack fires in spotlight as temperatures drop
A community leader at the Blue Skye informal settlement said they haven't had any incidents regarding a shack fire this year.
As winter is upon us, shack fires remain in the spotlight.
We have already seen two devastating shack fires in Boksburg this year.
Multiple people have already been left displaced due to a blaze that destroyed over 35 shacks at the Delmore informal settlement on the evening of April 24.
In another incident, eight homes were destroyed in the Ramaphosa informal settlement after a fire broke out on April 27 near Elsburg Road.
In light of this, the Boksburg Advertiser spoke to Bongani Khambule, a community leader at the Blue Skye informal settlement, where there have been devasting shack fires in the past.
For instance, on October 25, last year, several residents of the informal settlement were devastated after a fire destroyed more than 50 shacks.
The community leader said they haven’t had any incidents regarding a shack fire this year.
Khambule said one of the main issues is that people are trying to keep warm by starting a fire inside a shack.
“Sometimes these people fall asleep without putting it out, which can cause the fire to spread without them realising it,” he said.
Khambule said some people still use candles for light, which can also start a blaze.
“The metro, however, gave us solar panels at the end of last year. This helps a lot so that we can switch on lights and charge our phones.”
Furthermore, Khambule said people often make a fire outside their shack to cook food.
“Other people use a gas or brazier stove. The only problem with a gas stove is that it’s expensive to refill the gas,” he said.
Khambule urged community members not to start fires inside shacks.
Ward Clr Tsotang Motloung shared five valuable tips to prevent fires:
• Keep shacks at least 3m apart to prevent fires from spreading rapidly.
• Be vigilant with open flames and heat sources like paraffin stoves, candles and electrical connections. Never leave them unattended.
• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby to extinguish small fires quickly.
• Be aware of the dangers of illegal and faulty electrical connections. Check for warning signs, like flickering lights, odd smells or frayed cords. Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under furniture.
• Call the local emergency services’ firefighters promptly in case of a fire.
