Community mourns as fire claims the lives of two pensioners in Ladysmith
A fire incident has claimed the lives of two pensioners in KwaZulu-Natal.
The residential fire incident has claimed the lives of two siblings, aged 64 and 61, along Delhi Road in Ladysmith earlier this week.
The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson, Senzelwe Mzila, said a formal investigation is currently underway to determine the origin and cause of the incident.
“In line with disaster risk reduction protocols, MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has directed the Provincial Disaster Management Centre to deploy a specialised team to investigate the cause of the fire and to provide relief to the affected household,” said Mzila.
Mzila stated that preliminary reports indicate that community members attempted to extinguish the blaze before the arrival of emergency response teams.
“Law enforcement and fire and rescue services subsequently managed to contain the fire,” said Mzila.
Mzila further said that this incident underscores the importance of proactive risk mitigation and community awareness in safeguarding lives and property.
“This tragic event serves as a reminder of the province’s ongoing commitment to strengthening integrated emergency response mechanisms and enhancing community-based disaster preparedness, in alignment with the Batho Pele principles and the broader service delivery mandate of government,” said Mzila.
Residents across the province are urged to exercise heightened vigilance and adhere to fire safety guidelines, as structural fires remain a significant hazard within the built environment.
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