KEY POINTS
-
Four children under the age of two died in a Mayfair house fire on Monday, likely caused by a heating device amid incoming cold weather conditions.
-
Johannesburg EMS responded swiftly, but the children were already deceased due to suspected smoke inhalation; investigations are ongoing.
-
Authorities have urged residents to exercise caution with heating appliances as winter approaches, amid rising fire incidents in the province.
A devastating fire claimed the lives of four children in the suburb of Mayfair, west of Johannesburg’s central business district, on Monday morning. The children, all under the age of two, were trapped inside a home that caught fire just before midday.
City emergency services were alerted to the blaze around 11:00 AM. Firefighters from Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) responded swiftly to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the house engulfed in flames.
“On arrival, firefighters found the house alight and started conducting firefighting operations. While conducting search and rescue operation, four bodies of young kids were recovered,” said Robert Mulaudzi, spokesperson for Joburg EMS. “Unfortunately, they were confirmed dead at the scene. It appears they might have suffered smoke inhalation.”
Authorities link the fatal fire to a heating device
While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, preliminary indications suggest that a heating device may have ignited the blaze. “Our fire investigation team is on site to conduct preliminary investigations,” Mulaudzi added. He further appealed to Johannesburg residents to use heating devices safely, especially as temperatures continue to plummet.
The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for extreme cold across Gauteng and surrounding provinces beginning Wednesday.
This has led to increased use of paraffin heaters, gas stoves, and other heating appliances in low-income and informal housing areas—many of which lack stable electrical infrastructure or adequate safety measures.
Mayfair, known for its densely populated housing and historical buildings, has seen a rise in fire incidents in recent years.
According to Sowetanlive, many properties in the area house multiple families, often in sub-divided rooms or backyard structures, placing additional strain on household power supplies and increasing fire risks.
Emergency services and social workers remained at the scene through the afternoon to offer trauma counseling to surviving family members and neighbors, who were visibly shaken by the tragedy. Community members gathered near the burned-out home, expressing grief and frustration.
“We have to start taking fire safety seriously,” said a local resident, who identified herself only as Amina. “These are babies who didn’t even get a chance to live. It’s heartbreaking.”
Authorities are expected to release a full report once investigations conclude. In the meantime, municipal officials have reiterated their call for increased public awareness about winter fire hazards. The Johannesburg Fire Department has previously launched seasonal safety campaigns, but Monday’s fire is a stark reminder of how quickly domestic tragedies can unfold.
In 2024 alone, the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs reported over 1,000 residential fire incidents across the province during the winter season, many attributed to unsafe heating methods or overloaded electrical systems.
As the city braces for colder weather, EMS teams are expected to increase patrols in fire-prone communities and distribute safety pamphlets. Residents are also being urged to report unsafe electrical setups or overcrowded conditions to local ward councillors or disaster management authorities.
