A shack was destroyed in a blazing fire on Tuesday afternoon in east Phetla Street, Section SNS in Mamelodi.
The fire left no one injured, however it did not spare much-needed belongings.
The incident resulted in the Tshwane Emergency Services warning residents to remain cautious this winter when using heating equipment.
Salome Phetla, who claimed the shack belonged to her son, described the moments leading up to the fire.
She said it mysteriously started when she was just finishing her laundry.
Phetla said she does not know the cause but believes everything was switched off inside the shack when it started.
“Everything happened so fast, and by the time I started yelling fire, the whole shack was in a blaze of fire.
“Neighbours rushed to help put out the fire and emergency services were called, but the fire had spread and everything inside the shack perished in the blazing fire.”
According to Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso, the incident occurred at 15:39 on Tuesday.
He said one back room shack burned down. No one was injured.
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Mabaso said emergency services call on residents to exercise caution in the use of space heaters and other heating sources during the winter period, among other precautions:
– extinguish all open fires.
– never go to bed with an imbawula inside a dwelling.
– never overload electrical plugs.
– ensure safe use of gas and paraffin appliances.
– ensure stoves are switched off before leaving the house or going to bed.
– never place stoves near curtains or any appliance that may catch fire.
– in case of a fire, immediately evaluate the situation and dial 107 for help.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.
Anyone who wishes to help the family rebuild the shack or donate clothes and furniture can contact Salome Phetla on 079 533 0743
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