Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-06-04

A shack fire at the Vlakfontein informal settlement south of Johannesburg has left five people dead including three children.

The incident happened at 3am this morning.

“We responded to a shack fire in Vlakfontein, extension 3 where five people were burnt beyond recognition at around 3am,” spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said.

“At the moment the cause of the fire is still unknown but there are allegations that a heater might have started the fire. The fire investigation team would determine the cause of the fire.”

He said it was believed to be a 47-year-old woman, a 28-year-old man and two children aged nine and a 13-year-old who died.

Mulaudzi said the City of Johannesburg would assist family members and neighbours who have been affected and traumatised.

“We are on our knees. We want to advise communities to look after the heating and lighting appliances like candles and heaters to avoid devastating fire incidents like this one,” he said.

Meanwhile the weather service has warned that extremely cold weather will hit Gauteng tomorrow with emergency services officials in parts of the country including Gauteng bracing themselves for a busy few days.

By Friday the temperatures for Johannesburg and Pretoria are expected to plunge between 12 & 14 degrees.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)