By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-The province is currently experiencing escalating cases of Arson since the beginning of the winter season. It is apparent some of these cases occur as a result of negligence by individuals, be it children or adults due to failure to take proper care when heaters, paraffin stoves, illegal connection of electricity and open fires that are left unattended.
“It is unfortunate these cases result in deaths as well as severe and costly damages to properties such as houses, clothes, furniture and many others” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
It has emerged that most arson cases reported were from informal settlements of Rustenburg in Boitekong and Nkaneng.
“In one incident that occurred in Nkaneng informal settlement, was of a man who got home drunk from a tavern and tried to prepare food. After he lit a paraffin stove he felt asleep. The wind which came inside the open shack blew the paraffin stove and the curtains caught fire”.
“It also came to the attention of police that residents of informal settlements connect illegal connections of electricity” Mokgwabone said.
Police also appeal to the communities at these informal settlements to allow Emergency Services entry to assist during fires reported.
The community is therefore advised to take precautionary measures and apply the following safety hints.
• Not to use papers and boxes to extinguish fire.
• Avoid throwing cigarettes butts on the floor without checking first if it is safe to do that.
• Not to leave stoves unattended when under the influence of liquor.
• Not to leave heaters burning when sleeping, during the day or at night.-TDN
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