City of Johannesburg warns that shack fires are rising, and most are preventable
Over 2 000 shacks burnt nationally between September and February.
SA sees about 10 shack fires every day, with deaths every second day.
Most fires are preventable: stoves, candles, and electrical plugs and wiring are the main risks.
As temperatures drop and power cuts persist, residents in Johannesburg's informal settlements face a deadly seasonal threat: shack fires.
According to the City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS), hundreds of fires break out each winter, many caused by unsafe heating and cooking methods, and illegal electricity connections.
At a recent Disaster Risk Awareness launch, EMS and disaster officials highlighted the region's vulnerability.
'From 2022, our data show that between 850 and 900 people were affected by various fire incidents in this region alone,' said Niel Rooi, head of disaster management for the City of Johannesburg.
He added: 'Informal dwellings are built using combustible materials, and many residents cook or keep warm using unsafe methods. We're here to prepare communities to respond to and prevent fires.'
According to Rooi, in 2022, there were 445 shack fires recorded in Johannesburg's informal settlements. While some were extinguished without major injuries, others left families homeless or worse.
Xolile Khumalo, media liaison officer for City of Johannesburg EMS, said their current campaigns aim to reduce those numbers through education and awareness.
'We're teaching communities how to safely use paraffin, store flammable liquids and avoid locking children inside homes unattended. We're also warning about the risks of illegal electricity connections which have caused many of the recent fires.'
City of Johannesburg acting deputy director at the Emergency Services Academy, David Tembe, told City Press:
We are here to give you information about preventing fires. We want to work with you for your safety and the safety of the city. We won't win this battle unless we work together, hand in hand.
David Tembe
Bongani Siziba
Tebogo Letsie / City Press
Tebogo Letsie / City Press
Emergency services in cities such as Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni run winter fire awareness campaigns, but fire officials say prevention still depends on taking basic precautions at home.
Tebogo Letsie
The City of Johannesburg EMS, whose Stay Alive Until We Arrive campaign targets high-risk communities, urges residents to follow these critical safety steps:
Store paraffin in sealed containers, away from flames or stoves
Blow out candles and turn off heaters before sleeping
Never leave children alone near heat sources
Avoid illegal electrical connections – they're deadly ... and illegal
Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby at night
As winter deepens, EMS officials are clear: these fires are not acts of fate, they are mostly preventable.
'Fire spreads fast,' Rooi warned. 'But being prepared spreads faster.'
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