Candle causes fiery blaze during load shedding

According to an eyewitness, the area had been undergoing load shedding and shortly after 10pm, when the power came on, a loud bang could be heard from the house.

The eyewitness said a fiery blaze could then be seen from the upstairs bedroom of the house. According to the eyewitness, the owner of the house, a 65-year-old woman, said the fire was started by an overturned candle. Fortunately the woman was the only occupant of the house at the time of the fire and was not harmed.

According to Linda Gildenhuys, of the security arm of Sunninghill Community Residents and Ratepayers Association, Johannesburg Emergency Management Services responded to the fire and paramedics were also called to the scene.

The woman refused medical treatment and rather opted for her son to take her to hospital after the paramedics left.

Gildenhuys said according to the incident report the cause of the fire was an overturned candle.

She added that during load shedding residents should consider buying battery operated lanterns rather than using candles.

“We’ve got to get used to this way of life and choose safe options during load shedding,” Gildenhuys said.

According to the City of Joburg Emergency Management Services website, in the case of an emergency residents should contact the control centre on 10177 or 112 as soon as possible. Residents should try to remain calm and identify the nature of the emergency. They should give their name and contact details, state the nature of the incident and indicate the number of people involved. They should then give their physical address and the nearest corner or landmark. Residents should remain on the line as long as possible to answer the operator’s questions.

Details: www.joburg.org.za