Officials call for extra vigilance with candles and heaters to avert loss of life

As the winter season intensifies in South Africa, emergency services officials in Joburg have called on residents to be extra cautious when using candles and refrain from leaving heating devices unattended.

The call comes as more than 10 people have recently lost their lives due to fires caused by candles or gas stoves which had been left unattended, all in a bid to keep the lights on and keep warm.

This week alone, 13 people lost their lives in fires.

In the latest incident, last night a two-year-old child died from serve burn wounds after the structure he was in, on Commissioner and Alexandra Streets Johannesburg, caught fire.

It is reported that the blaze might have started before 9pm.

Emergency services, Xolile Khumalo, says police are investigating its cause.

In another incident, five people including four young children perished in an inferno in Katlehong.

While investigations into the blaze continue, it is believed that the fire was too intense and rapidly spread covering the entire three-room shack.

In another case, two minors were discovered burnt beyond recognition at the Florence Nightingale Flats in Hillbrow.

It is reported that the fire started on the first floor, where two rooms caught fire and escalated to the 2nd floor.

The minors, who are suspected to be between the ages of five and seven, were left alone in the locked apartment at the time of the tragedy.

Khumalo has reiterated the call for parents and guardians to ensure that they monitor children when using candles in order to avoid such incidents.