2 killed in separate informal settlement fires, confirms Joburg EMS

JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) has confirmed the deaths of two people in separate informal housing fires on Sunday.

This was after emergency teams responded to reports of fires in Orlando East and Orange Farm in the south of Johannesburg in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Both fires were contained and eventually extinguished. However, a 16-year-old girl and a 34-year-old man lost their lives in the incidents.

Johannesburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi has cautioned residents to be careful when using heating devices during the cold weather.

"We are still encouraging our residents to continue to look after all heating devices during this winter season so that we can prevent fire incidents like this one."