As another cold front makes its way through the Cape, at least 14 people, seven of whom were children, were killed in fire-related incidents in various parts of the metropole over the past weekend.
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Among them, one of the latest incidents resulted in the deaths of two adults from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in New Woodlands, Mitchells Plain.
‘According to neighbours, the family had taken a drum of hot coals indoors and were overcome by the lack of oxygen,’ City of Cape Town said in a statement on Monday.
‘Two victims were declared deceased on the scene, while two children were transported to hospital for treatment.’
SAPS has since confirmed that the children have also passed away.
This comes just over two weeks after a similar incident left four people unconscious after a ‘galley’ fire in their home in Uitsig.
The victims were taken to hospital for treatment.
In other fire-related incidents this weekend, five fires in Khayelitsha, Hout Bay and Delft led to the deaths of 12 people and destroyed a total of 11 dwellings, according to the City’s Fire and Rescue Service records.
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‘The loss of life is heart-wrenching and the City’s disaster risk management centre is coordinating relevant services to respond to psycho-trauma and humanitarian assistance for the affected residents,’ said City’s mayoral member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith.
‘The individual fire incidents are under investigation by the SAPS, but we also want to urge the public to please keep fire safety top of mind at all times, particularly amid the incredibly cold weather that we are experiencing,’ Smith added.
‘Please do not leave open flames or any heating sources unattended, ever; do not leave children unattended, and do not make fires indoors if you do not have a properly ventilated fireplace. The risks, as we have sadly seen, are simply too great.’
Basic fire prevention and safety
- Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach
- Cut candles in half to prevent them falling over, use a candle holder and ensure the candles or gas lamps are out before sleeping
- Keep a close eye on paraffin burners at all time
- Do not cook near a window with a curtain
- Do not smoke in bed and ensure cigarette butts are put out properly before disposing them
- If you can afford it, keep a fire extinguisher in your home; maintain it annually and ensure you know how to use it
- Keep a bucket of sand in the kitchen if you don’t have an extinguisher; throwing sand over a small fire, especially oil, can help contain it before it gets out of control
- Keep a garden hose rolled up and ready in case of fire
- Where possible, have more than one exit point from your house
- Make an escape plan that the whole family knows about and can follow and teach children about the dangers of fire
- Do not park in the way of a fire hydrant
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Picture: Karl Callwood / Unsplash