Kwa-Thema fire horror exposes risks in informal settlements

The Ekurhuleni Emergency Services remain on high alert after nine people died in four separate fires across Boksburg, Kwa-Thema, and Palm Ridge within a week.Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

These fatalities have reignited demands for improved fire safety, particularly in informal settlements during the harsh winter.

These incidents were recently recorded in the city:
• An adult died when his shack caught fire in the Delmore informal settlement in Boksburg on May 21;

• Another man died when his bedroom caught fire in Ravensklip near Elandsfontein, also in Boksburg, on May 24.

• Six family members died in a fire at the Marikana informal settlement, Kwa-Thema, on May 26. A seven-year-old girl survived with serious injuries.

• A 55-year-old died in a shack fire in Palm Ridge Ext 9 on May 26.

While the city is ready for any emergency and can teach people how to deal with fires, especially those living in informal settlements, it calls on residents to play their part, too.

Cold weather characterises winter and sees more fires.

“Understanding how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property during winter will make a difference in staying safe and alive,” said DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi.

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