Mother, baby die in blaze
JEPPE – The police partnered with Disaster Management to help distribute food and clothes to shack dwellers whose homes burnt down.
A George Goch mother and her six-month-old baby were reportedly killed during a shack fire that destroyed about 15 shacks at the informal settlement.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but the Jeppe police are investigating a case of arson.
According to the spokesperson for the Jeppe Police Station, Captain Richard Munyai, about 15 adults and 10 children lost their homes after their shacks were destroyed. “Fifteen shacks burnt down and a woman and her six-month-old child lost their lives during the fire,” he said.
“Jeppe police, with the assistance of pastoral care for migrants based in Bertrams and at the Bienvenu Shelter, donated food parcels and clothes to the affected families.”
According to Munyai, the incident occurred on 20 January, and the police are investigating the cause of the fire.
During their visit, Munyai said they partnered with the Johannesburg Disaster Management team to assist the community with their ordeal.
“We are not yet clear what could have caused this fire, but a case of arson has been opened at Jeppe Police Station and is under investigation,” said Munyai.
Details: Jeppe Police Station 011 624 6042.
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