Man who used wheelchair dies in Katlehong shack fire

A 38-year-old man who used a wheelchair died in a shack fire in Zonkizizwe Extension Six, Katlehong. Investigators are determining the cause, Ekurhuleni emergency services spokesperson William Ntladi said in an October 10 SABC report.

Firefighters responded on Friday night. Ntladi said residents were attempting to contain the fire with buckets when crews arrived. Firefighters used hose lines from their engine and brought the blaze under control.

Crews had been told a man who used a wheelchair remained inside. After extinguishing the fire, they found him beneath collapsed corrugated metal sheets during the search and recovery operation.

Paramedics declared him dead at the scene. The site was handed to South African Police Service officers. Ntladi said an investigation would establish the cause. The report did not identify a specific source of ignition.