Man and child killed in shack fire

Germiston – In the early hours of Monday morning a man and a child were burned to death after a fire broke out at the Good Hope informal settlement in Germiston.

  Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Services (EMS) spokesperson Eric Maloka said at around 02:30am teams responded to reports of the fire.

  “Upon their arrival several shacks were found to be engulfed in flames. Backup was provided by a neighbouring fire station and 15 fire-fighters were deployed to assist in extinguishing the fire. The fire was contained, and following search-and-rescue efforts, two bodies were recovered.”

  Maloka said according to neighbours on the scene, the bodies were assumed to be those of a father and his child. 

  “About 10 dwellings were destroyed, but no injuries had been reported. The cause of the fire was still undetermined, and fire safety officials were summoned to assist with investigations,” Maloka said.

  The scene was handed over to the police for further investigation.