Already this winter many lives have been lost and property destroyed in the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) because of fires. In the latest incident on Monday, 13 June, an elderly man died after his home in Kwa-Thema caught alight in the early hours of the morning.
Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) firefighters promptly responded when the call came in, finding the house well alight. The lifeless body of an adult male was found lying covered under blankets outside the burning house. Paramedics could not find any visible burn wounds and preliminary investigations allege that smoke inhalation contributed to his death. Another patient was hospitalised for smoke inhalation.
DEMS remains on high alert as temperatures around the City drop to new lows forcing many to heating sources to keep warm.
FIRE SAFETY TIPS
Braziers (coal stoves), Fireplaces, Gas, Paraffin and electrical Heaters:
- Keep the room or house ventilated. Open the windows or doors to avoid carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide poisoning.
- Put the braziers on a solid flat surface.
- Avoid using all heating sources in a confined space. Furniture and linen are easily combustible.
- Clean the fireplace and chimney to avoid carbon soot build-up that prevents smoke from escaping through the chimney.
- Never leave open flames, either heating or lighting sources, unattended because embers can cause a fire.
- Always extinguish open fires or flames when leaving the room/house.
- Always burn seasoned hardwood to avoid lots of smoke.
NB: While intoxicated, avoid heating sources and open flame lighting sources.
