A mother from Drieziek near Orange Farm in the Vaal died from smoke inhalation and her two other family members including a toddler are in hospital after their house burnt down. It is alleged that the woman left a two-plate stove that she used to warm the house and fell asleep.

BE SAFE THIS WINTER 

City of Joburg EMS Spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba said, "Preliminary investigations conducted by Fire Safety officers confirmed the two plate stove as the cause of the fire. The deceased fell asleep after switching on a two-plate stove to warm the house." The woman died on the scene from smoke inhalation while another adult and a toddler were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention and they are in critical condition.

DEATH BY FIRE

Radebe said it was disheartening that so many people died by fire due to the incorrect use of heating appliances or man-made fire. She said since the beginning of the cold winter season, more than 10 people have died because of fire. She urged residents to desist from leaving appliances unattended or using wired stoves as heaters because it is risky. "During this season, Emergency Management Services records an increase in house fires and a high number of deaths caused by incorrect use of heating appliances," said Radebe