Two burnt bodies recovered in Joburg shack fire

Two burnt bodies were recovered this morning, Sunday, 4 June, following a destructive shack fire in Joburg’s Zandspruit informal settlement.

SHACK FIRE EMERGENCY CALL IN THE WEE HOURS

City of Joburg EMS Spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba said the City of Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) received a call just before midnight about shacks on fire at Zandspruit Informal Settlement.

“It is estimated that plus ten shacks were gutted by flames and the firefighters’ crew discovered two bodies burnt beyond recognition while conducting search and rescue,” Nana confirmed.

BURNT BODIES IN ZANDSPRUIT

“Fire Safety is conducting preliminary investigations to determine the cause and where the fire started.”

Nana Radebe-Kgiba

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She said at the moment the city’s Disaster Management is on scene to assist the affected families.

“The winter season has arrived and it is during this time that residents lose their lives due to fire incidents. Emergency Management Services urges communities to take necessary precautions when using heating appliances and avoid leaving candles unattended,” she appealed.

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WOMAN DIES FROM SMOKE INHALATION NEAR ORANGE FARM

Meanwhile, in the early hours of 3 June, the City of Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) responded to a structural fire at Drieziek, near Orange Farm.

After their home was gutted by flames a female died from smoke inhalation, and another adult with a toddler was transported to a nearby hospital.

It is alleged the deceased female fell asleep after switching on a two-plate stove to warm herself. Preliminary investigations conducted by Fire Safety officers confirmed the two-plate stove as the cause of the fire.

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“It is during this season that Emergency Management Services records an increase in house fires and a high number of deaths caused by incorrect use of heating appliances. As the temperatures continue to plummet, residents are urged to use heating appliances correctly and never leave heaters and stoves unattended,” Nana further appealed.

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