EMS will closely monitor informal settlements during winter
JOBURG - The City of Johannesburg's Emergency Management Services (EMS) has noted with much concern the number of lives and properties lost due to domestic fires in winter.
EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said, “In Region A, we will closely monitor informal settlements, especially Kya Sands and Kanana as they have a high number of fires reported each year.”
In 2013, 400 fires were reported throughout the City of Johannesburg in both informal settlements and formal residential areas where 103 people lost their lives. Last year, 600 fires were reported in informal and formal residential areas and 32 people lost their lives.
Since then, 1 200 households in various informal settlements across the City of Johannesburg have received a Jozi Safety Kit, which comprises burn kits, smoke detectors and a bucket. Mulaudzi said this initiative has contributed to a 42 percent fire reduction in most areas.
Fires are mostly caused by the following:
- Heating and lighting appliances that are cheaper and not regulated by National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications which, in most cases, explode and start fires
- Candles that are not placed in proper candle safety jars to prevent them from falling over
- Using an open fire for cooking in a confined space with highly flammable materials, such as imbaula or braziers, which also cause death when people inhale the toxic smoke
- Illegal connections of electricity where children often getting electrocuted
- Fires started by love quarrels when one person burns the home in revenge.
