City of Joburg to remain on high alert to avoid fatalities as weather conditions set to deteriorate
The City of Johannesburg has confirmed that it will remain on high alert as weather conditions take a turn for the worse, with the expected two cold fronts this week. The City's fire department has also issued a safety alert after the death of four toddlers in Mayfair on Monday.
Image: Supplied
While the police are still investigating the circumstances that led to the death of four children, all under the age of two, who died in a house fire in Mayfair, Johannesburg on Monday morning, Emergency Services have urged residents to be cautious when using heating devices to warm themselves.
This comes as firefighters found themselves battling raging fires which engulfed a house in Mayfair on Monday, believed to have been used as day care centre. The fire claimed the lives of four of the children, while the childminder and two other minors survived.
The fire comes as the country anticipates two cold fronts from Wednesday this week, with spokesperson for the Emergency Services in the City, Robert Mulaudzi urging residents to be extra cautious with heaters and other warming devices, which can easily ignite when not used safely.
"This drop in temperatures means that residents throughout the City of Johannesburg will be forced to use all sorts of heating devices to try and warm themselves in the process making themselves vulnerable to fire incidents at home if heating devices are used unsafely or left unattended.
"We therefore would like to encourage our residents to use all heating devices safely, that is heaters, braizers, paraffin stoves and candles. Do not to leave them unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home during these extremely cold temperatures," he stated.
On Tuesday, the South African Weather Service said it is closely monitoring the two frontal systems with the view to issue out weather impacts associated with the cold fronts across parts of the Western Cape province on Monday, 19 May through to Wednesday, 21 May, when strong winds and rough sea conditions are expected to spread to the south coast and the Eastern Cape.
Following the fire incident in Mayfair, Mulaudzi said it is unfortunate that four children, including a seven-month-old toddler, were the victims of this blaze.
"All the deceased are believed to be minors and their ages are believed to be from two and below,” he said.
While speaking to SABC News, the father of one of the toddlers, Mdumise Ncube demanded justice.
"We demand justice, and the law take its course. I am devasted after losing my child. She was among the four children who died at the creche. This is a very hard pill to swallow for me as a parent and I can’t believe what happened.”
MMC for Public Safety, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku also extended his deepest condolences to the families of the four toddlers.
"Our thoughts are with their families and those affected by this devastating event. We appreciate EMS's prompt response and investigators' efforts to determine the cause of the blaze. Ensuring the safety of our communities remains our top priority. The City of Joburg will provide support to the families of the victims and will work towards preventing similar incidents in the future," he said.
Mulaudzi indicated that his department is on high alert and will be monitoring the weather conditions across the city's seven regions.
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za