Two people, including a two-year-old baby, have perished in Ekurhuleni, after an inferno engulfed their home in Snake Park, Nigel.

At around 3am on Sunday, Ekurhuleni firefighters responded to a fire incident at Alra Park in Nigel. 

Spokesperson for the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, Katlego Mphahlele said that upon arrival, the firefighters found a four-roomed shack fully engulfed in flames.

Community members were desperately fighting the inferno.

“After the flames were put out, firefighters began search and recovery efforts as there were concerns that there may be casualties trapped inside,” said Mphahlele.

Two bodies were discovered in the burnt remains of the shack.

“The victims were identified as a 22-year-old male and a two-year-old baby, both of whom were burned beyond recognition,” she said.

An eight-year-old child managed to escape the blaze, with minor burns. The survivor was taken to Pholosong Hospital for medical treatment.

“The two deceased individuals were pronounced dead at the scene by Gauteng medical services. Our fire safety officials and SAPS will continue to investigate the possible cause of the fire,” said Mphahlele.

As the cold weather continues to grip Gauteng and other parts of the country, communities have been reminded to use heating appliances with extreme caution.

Last month, IOL reported that six family members perished in an inferno in Ekurhuleni, as fire consumed their shack at the Marikana informal settlement.

At the time, City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services spokesperson William Ntladi said only one family member survived the blaze.

“The home of seven family members was destroyed by fire, all of them trapped inside while sleeping overnight, and only one escaped with critical burn wounds,” said Ntladi.

Emergency services from the City of Ekurhuleni swiftly responded to the Marikana informal settlement after receiving a distress call at around 3am.

When the emergency personnel arrived, a four-roomed shack was engulfed by flames. Members of the community were frantically battling the blaze.

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jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News 

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