Baby and toddler die in Ekurhuleni shack fire

Two children died in a shack fire at the Colgate informal settlement in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, yesterday morning.

The City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson, William Ntladi, says community members tried to extinguish the blaze, but could not save a 10-week-old girl and two-year-old boy.

Ntladi says the children were found inside the shack with full and partial-thickness burn wounds.

“DEMS received the call at 10:01. Crews responded with two fire engines, manned by 10 firefighters, to the informal settlement next to Me C Botha Drive (Sotho section).

“Two shacks built into each other were destroyed by the blaze. Two tiny bodies lying motionless on the mattress were found. Members of the community used the bucket brigade system to help extinguish the fire,” says Ntladi.

The toddlers were declared dead on the scene by paramedics.

“Preliminary investigation suggests that the mother left the two children inside the shack while attending to other matters away from home.

“She was apparently cooking on a paraffin stove before the incident. When she returned she found her the shack burnt down and both her children killed,” says Ntladi.

DEMS officials are helping with relief.

According to Ntladi, the scene was handed over to SAPS for further investigations.

“This is a very sad incident. The loss of two innocent young lives in this fashion is quite shocking and the city sends condolences to the bereaved families,” says Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

“It is extremely important that we emphasise the call for communities to be vigilant when it comes to issues of fire and the general protection of their young ones.

“We will continue with fire safety education, and we do implore members of the community to take this seriously as professional firefighters share critical tips on avoiding such incidents.

“Once again our sincere condolences to the families and friends of these young ones,” he adds.

Fire safety tips

Ward 42 councillor Tsotang Motloung previously 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.