Winter warning: Johannesburg fire caused by unsupervised paraffin stove leaves one dead

Johannesburg, Gauteng experienced its coldest night of the year on Thursday, 22 July. The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services has continually issued safety tips on how residents should heat their homes safely throughout the cold spells the city has experienced this winter. Unfortunately, an unattended paraffin stove led to a fatal fire that affected at least 37 people.

JOHANNESBURG SHACK FIRE LEAVES ONE DEAD

Johannesburg EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, said that shacks were on fire in Vrededorp at 7:48 on Friday morning, 23 July.  The overnight temperature in the city dropped to a low of -4°C.

A male patient was declared dead at the scene while 36 other people were affected by the fire, according to the spokesperson.

“[T]he cause of the fire is an unattended paraffin stove,” said Mulaudzi. “[R]esidents are urged to look after all heating devices during this cold front.”

Mudlaudzi previously singled out electrical appliances, candles, paraffin stoves, imbaula and open fires used to keep warm during winter, as heating devices to be especially careful with.

HOME HEATING EQUIPMENT THE CAUSE OF MOST WINTER FIRES

The City of Johannesburg EMS urged residents to never leave children alone in the room with a heater on and to always turn off heating devices before going to bed. According to the city, home heating equipment is the number one cause of house fires during winter.

Residents are urged to follow these safety guidelines from the EMS to stay safe and warm this winter:

• Keep anything flammable at least one metre away from heating equipment.
• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.
• Do not leave heaters unattended – they must be switched off even when leaving a room and especially before bed.
• Do not use heaters to dry clothes.
• Check the wiring of heating devices regularly and do not use extension cord, multi-plugs or any devices with frayed wiring.

In case of an emergency, the Johannesburg EMS can be reached by dialling 112 or 011-375-5911.