Six people, including a toddler, have died as a result of residential fires across Cape Town at the weekend. This has prompted the City’s Fire and Rescue Service to urge residents to be cautious during the cold days.
“The most recent incident was this morning when four people died in two separate fires in Khayelitsha and Dunoon,” said Jermaine Carelse, Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson. “Experience has shown that winter is the time when there is an increased risk of structural fires, especially as people try to stay warm.”
Always ensure that cooking fires are extinguished properly, keep a bucket of sand and a bucket of water handy. Extinguish all candles and lamps before going to sleep or leaving home.
“We appeal to residents to programme the emergency numbers into their phones, to call as soon as possible and not hinder the fire crews when they arrive on scene,” Carelse added.
Fires can be reported to the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre by dialling 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cellphone.
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