By: Natasha Archary
A father and his two children have died in a tragic Mamelodi shack fire in the early hours of Wednesday, 12 July.
Tshwane Emergency Services (TMS) were called to the Transit Camp in Mamelodi Extension 19, at approximately 01h35, but were too late as the shack had been completely burned down on arrival.
Two children, aged 5 and 9-years, as well as a man, believed to be their father were the unfortunate victims of the unrelenting blaze.
TMS spokesperson Charles Mabaso appealed to residents to be cautious when using candles, paraffin lamps or fires inside their homes.
“Multiple calls to Tshwane Emergency Services were responded to this morning, when about three shacks were on fire in Mamelodi Extension 19.
Emergency teams arrived on scene to find a shack with 3 rooms had already burnt down.
Unfortunately during firefighting attempts, the team were informed by bystanders that there were three people inside the shack.
A father and his two children, a boy (9) and girl (5) were reportedly inside the shack when the fire broke out.”
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson, Charles Mabaso
Mabaso urged the community to make sure all candles are placed in a safe candleholder, to not overload electricity plugs and to never leave a mbaola or coal fire burning overnight without supervision.
He also stressed that all heating sources such as gas heaters be put off or placed away from combustible materials before going to sleep.
An investigation into the cause of the Mamelodi shack fire is underway.
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