The father of one of the four toddlers who died in a house fire in Mayfair, Johannesburg, wants the woman who was looking after the children to face the full might of the law.

Mdumise Ncube lost his 7-month-old baby Precious.

The toddler was left in the care of the woman with other children at an unregistered daycare centre.

Johannesburg Emergency Services says preliminary investigations show that a heating device was being used before the fire started.

Ncube says he’s struggling to come into terms with the loss.

“I have lost my child. She was among the four children who died at the creche. This is a very hard pill to swallow. I can’t even believe it. I used to accompany her to go and play. we would go to the shops together. I’m down. I can’t believe what happened.”