By Everson Luhanga
- Firefighters found the bodies after putting out the flames at a Mayfair home on Monday.
- Officials urge residents to be extra careful with heaters as cold weather hits the city.
Four toddlers have died after a fire broke out at a house in Mayfair, Johannesburg.
The children, all believed to be younger than two years old, were found by firefighters after the flames were extinguished on Monday morning.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said they received a call about the fire at around 11am.
“After conducting search and rescue operations, the authorities found four bodies of young kids,” he said.
Paramedics confirmed that the children were dead at the scene.
“It appears they might have suffered smoke inhalation during this fire incident,” Mulaudzi said.
He said the fire may have started from a heating device that was in use before the blaze broke out.
“Our fire investigation team is on site conducting preliminary investigations,” he added.
With freezing temperatures expected to hit Johannesburg from Wednesday, residents are being warned to take extra care when using heaters.
The South African Weather Service has issued a warning for extremely cold conditions across the city for the rest of the week.
Mulaudzi reminded residents to follow safety rules when using any heating device and to never leave children unattended near heaters.
He said in life-threatening emergencies, people should contact the Johannesburg Emergency Services call centre on 011 375 5911.
Pictured above: City of Johannesburg EMS at a house in Mayfair where four children died after a house caught fire.
Image source: Johannesburg EMS
