- A house fire in Strandfontein, Mitchells Plain resulted in two fatalities.
- The victims were a woman and a young girl.
- Two other adults sustained burn wounds and were treated for smoke inhalation.
- The cause of the fire is still under investigation by authorities.
A devastating house fire claimed the lives of a woman and a young girl early Monday morning, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
Mitchells Plain family reeling from deadly house fire
The City’s Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the fire broke out in a double-storey dwelling in Strandfontein, Mitchells Plain.
Authorities were notified in the early hours of Monday morning, 22 July 2024.
Spokesperson Jermaine Carelse reported that firefighters arrived at the scene to find the house engulfed in flames. Despite their efforts, a woman and a young girl succumbed to fatal burn wounds.
Two other adults, a man and a woman, were treated for smoke inhalation and burn wounds.
“Two adults were treated for smoke inhalation. Tragically, a woman and a young girl sustained fatal burn wounds,” Carelse said.
The cause of the fire is still undetermined, and the scene has been handed over to the South African Police Service for further investigation.
What to do if you are trapped in a house fire
House fires can escalate quickly, leaving little time to react. Knowing what to do in the event of a fire can save lives. Here are some crucial steps to follow if you find yourself trapped in a house fire:
- Stay Calm and Act Quickly: Panic can hinder your ability to think clearly. Stay calm and focus on getting to safety.
- Alert Others: Yell to alert everyone in the house and use your pre-planned escape routes if possible.
- Avoid Smoke: Smoke inhalation can be deadly. Stay low to the ground where the air is clearer and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth if possible.
- Use Exits Wisely: Use doors and windows to escape if they are clear of fire and smoke. Feel the door handle with the back of your hand before opening it. If it’s hot, do not open the door as fire could be on the other side.
- Seal Yourself In: If you cannot escape, seal the room by closing doors and using wet towels to block cracks around the door to keep smoke out. Signal for help by waving a flashlight or cloth at a window.
- Stop, Drop, and Roll: If your clothes catch fire, stop immediately, drop to the ground, and roll to extinguish the flames.
- Call for Help: Once you are safe, call emergency services immediately. Provide them with all necessary information, including your location and the condition of those with you.