Tragic Deaths of Four Children in Fires Prompt Plea

Johannesburg Emergency Services plead for increased supervision of children following the tragic deaths of four children in separate fire incidents. In the recent Doornkop incident in Soweto, an 18-month-old baby and a five-year-old were fatally burned when an unattended candle ignited their mattress, quickly engulfing the room in flames as reported by the SABC News.

The children’s uncle, Dumisani Makhubu, expresses the family’s disbelief and shares their challenging situation. Arriving at the scene, he was at a loss for words and actions, overwhelmed by the tragedy.

The 21-year-old mother had left the candle unattended during load shedding. Makhubu reveals that she is also battling drug addiction and emphasizes the need for professional help to address her situation.

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Tragically, two other children lost their lives in a Hillbrow flat fire last week after being left unattended.

Johannesburg’s Fire Services face challenges with a shortage of 40 fire trucks in their fleet, potentially posing difficulties during the winter season. Emergency services spokesperson Nana Radebe acknowledges the shortage but assures that the existing fleet of 52 fire trucks has been strategically deployed in Soweto and other high-risk areas to ensure a prompt response.

Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) reports a distressing figure of 1,252 children who died in fires between 2020 and 2022. The fatalities encompass children of all ages, with a higher prevalence occurring in informal settlements.

This news highlights the urgent need for increased vigilance and safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents and protect the lives of children in Johannesburg.

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Photo by Tara Winstead