Massive shack fire kills three kids, adult

Three children and an adult died in a multiple shack fire incident in Marathon Informal settlement, Germiston in Sunday evening.

The children aged two, seven and nine years old including a female adult (43), all burned beyond recognition in what is one of the gruesome fire incidents reported this winter.

Thw city’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) firefighters received the call exactly at 23H13 Sunday evening and responded promptly for assistance.

“Primrose, Bedfordview and Albertina Sisulu fire stations were in attendance with three fire engines. On arrival, multiple number of shacks were already destroyed by fire flames spreading to others. Offensive direct fire suppression was initiated to prevent further spread,” explained William Ntladi (Ekurhuleni emergency spokesperson).

On investigation after flames were extinguished, firefighters received information that some people were trapped in their shacks during the fire.

According to bystanders, three siblings from one shack and an adult from another unfortunately, couldn’t escape the blaze.

All four people were discovered and declared deceased on scene by paramedics.

The children’s mother escaped with minor burn wounds.

“As per information on scene, the cause of the fire is suspected to be a paraffin stove left unattended in one of the burned shack. An inquest docket is opened with South African police services (SAPS) for in-depth investigations,” Ntladi said.