In a heartbreaking turn of events, six children have tragically lost their lives in two separate fire incidents that occurred in the City of Ekurhuleni on the night of Friday, 27 June 2025. According to emergency services, both devastating fires involved children who were left unsupervised at the time of the incidents.
The City of Ekurhuleni’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) confirmed the tragedies early Saturday morning. Spokesperson Maswazi Mdluli expressed deep sorrow over the incidents and confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the causes of the fires, which are currently unknown.
The first incident occurred in Villa Lisa at approximately 8:30 PM. A four-room shack, believed to be constructed from highly flammable materials, caught fire and was engulfed in flames before emergency responders could arrive on the scene. Four children, aged between 2 and 14 years old, were inside the shack at the time. Tragically, all four were killed in the blaze. The exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and forensic teams have been dispatched to the site to gather more information.
Just a few hours later, at 10:53 PM, another fire was reported—this time in Katlehong. A four-room house went up in flames, killing two more children aged 10 and 2 years. The fire ravaged the house quickly, leaving little time for rescue. Like the earlier incident, no adult supervision was reported at the time of the tragedy.
Maswazi Mdluli stressed the importance of child safety and responsible supervision, especially when it comes to vulnerable structures and heating appliances. “These incidents are a stark reminder of the risks posed by leaving children unattended, particularly in informal or inadequately built dwellings. We urge parents and guardians to be extra cautious and to ensure that children are never left alone in environments where they could be at risk,” said Mdluli.
Local authorities and fire investigators are currently working to establish the causes of both fires. For now, both scenes remain sealed off as the investigations continue. Community leaders have also called for improved public safety awareness campaigns to help prevent such tragedies in the future.
Residents in both Villa Lisa and Katlehong have been left shaken and grief-stricken. Support services, including trauma counselling, have been made available to the affected families and community members.
These incidents have once again highlighted the dangers faced by those living in informal settlements and poorly serviced areas, where emergency response times are often delayed, and fire hazards are prevalent.
The City of Ekurhuleni has extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and pledged to support them during this incredibly difficult time. In the wake of the tragedy, there have been renewed calls for better housing, fire safety education, and child protection measures to help prevent similar occurrences in the future.