In the early hours of Sunday morning, 29 June, a tragic shack fire claimed the lives of two siblings in Alra Park Extension 3, Nigel, Ekurhuleni. Miraculously, their 8-year-old brother survived the blaze, sustaining only minor injuries.
According to Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson, Maswazi Mdluli, emergency responders were called to the scene around 3:00 AM. On arrival, firefighters found the three-roomed shack fully engulfed in flames, with nearby residents already attempting to douse the blaze.
“Community members were making efforts to extinguish the fire before the arrival of emergency services,” Mdluli said. “Once our firefighters managed to bring the fire under control, they initiated a search and recovery operation, fearing that people might be trapped inside the structure.”
Tragically, their fears were confirmed when two bodies were discovered inside the remains of the shack. The victims were a 22-year-old male and a 2-year-old child. Both had been burned beyond recognition. Gauteng Medical Services declared them dead at the scene.
The only survivor, an 8-year-old boy, managed to escape the inferno. He sustained minor burns and was promptly taken to Pholosong Hospital, where he is receiving medical treatment and support. Authorities have not released his name due to his age and ongoing trauma.
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire safety officials and police have launched a joint inquiry to determine what led to the deadly blaze.
While the investigation continues, authorities have issued a strong reminder to communities about the dangers of heating appliances, especially during the cold winter season. Mdluli emphasized the importance of being vigilant when using any heating or lighting equipment inside homes—particularly in informal dwellings like shacks, where fire hazards are more prevalent due to the materials used in construction and the proximity of living spaces.
“People must ensure that all heating devices are never left unattended. One small mistake or oversight can result in tragic loss of life, as we have sadly witnessed,” Mdluli stated.
This heartbreaking incident adds to a series of recent fire tragedies reported across South Africa as the country battles bitterly cold winter nights. Emergency services are urging residents to practice fire safety and to ensure children are never left alone in dwellings where heating devices are being used.
The community of Alra Park has been left devastated by the loss. Local support groups and neighbors have started offering help to the bereaved family, while others are calling for increased public awareness and assistance in improving safety in informal settlements.
As winter deepens, emergency authorities continue to stress that the risk of fire incidents rises sharply, making prevention and community vigilance crucial in saving lives.