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30 May 2025
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Fatalities due to fire a major concern for the City of Ekurhuleni
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The City of Ekurhuleni’s Emergency Services remains on high alert to deal with fires following the death of nine people in four separate structural fires in the area in the past seven days. William Ntladi, district manager media liaison: Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), said, “The following incidents have been recorded in the city recently: On Wednesday, 21 May 2025, an adult died when his shack caught fire in Delmore Informal Settlement, Boksburg. On Saturday, 24 May 2025, another man died when his bedroom in a fire incident in Ravensklip near Elandsfontein also in Boksburg. On Monday morning, 26 May 2025, six family members died in a fire incident at Marikana Informal Settlement, Kwa-Thema. Only a seven-year-old daughter survived with intense injuries.”
Ntladi added, “The home of seven family members was destroyed by fire, all of them trapped inside while sleeping overnight and only one escaped with critical burn wounds. Emergency services from the City of Ekurhuleni swiftly responded to Marikana Informal Settlement after receiving a call at 03h08 and, upon arrival, a four roomed shack was engulfed by flames, members of the community battling the fire. Firefighters extinguished the fire, however, on search, rescue and recovery, all six were found to have burnt intensively and only one survived with critical burns. The daughter aged around seven was privately transported to the nearest hospital for further medical treatment. The six family members were declared deceased on scene. The cause of the fire is undetermined. Police were on scene for scene rehabilitation and removal of the bodies to pathological facility.”
“On the same day just before midnight, a 55-year-old passed on in a shack fire in Palm Ridge extension 9”, Ntladi said.
“While the city remains vigilant to deal with any emergency and educate people about dealing with fires especially in informal settlements, the city calls on residents to play their part as well. The season is characterised by adverse weather conditions which results in extreme cold and increased fire incidents.”
“Understanding how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your properties during winter will make a difference in staying safe and alive,” said Ntladi.
Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) department also shared safety tips, informing the public of the various hazards in the winter months.
Source: William Ntladi, district manager media liaison: Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS)
Ntladi added, “The home of seven family members was destroyed by fire, all of them trapped inside while sleeping overnight and only one escaped with critical burn wounds. Emergency services from the City of Ekurhuleni swiftly responded to Marikana Informal Settlement after receiving a call at 03h08 and, upon arrival, a four roomed shack was engulfed by flames, members of the community battling the fire. Firefighters extinguished the fire, however, on search, rescue and recovery, all six were found to have burnt intensively and only one survived with critical burns. The daughter aged around seven was privately transported to the nearest hospital for further medical treatment. The six family members were declared deceased on scene. The cause of the fire is undetermined. Police were on scene for scene rehabilitation and removal of the bodies to pathological facility.”
“On the same day just before midnight, a 55-year-old passed on in a shack fire in Palm Ridge extension 9”, Ntladi said.
“While the city remains vigilant to deal with any emergency and educate people about dealing with fires especially in informal settlements, the city calls on residents to play their part as well. The season is characterised by adverse weather conditions which results in extreme cold and increased fire incidents.”
“Understanding how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your properties during winter will make a difference in staying safe and alive,” said Ntladi.
Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) department also shared safety tips, informing the public of the various hazards in the winter months.
Source: William Ntladi, district manager media liaison: Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS)