House fires are on the rise because of load shedding

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read | 13:35 pm CAT

There has been an increase in home fires, which could be linked to load shedding. The fire threat has emerged from dangerous power surges that can happen when electricity is restored after an outage.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, an investigator at IGNIS Forensic Fire Investigations and Prevention, Thys Steenkamp, said an increase in house fires has been seen since the extended load shedding was introduced.

With the ongoing blackouts, South Africans are urged to be careful. This is the risk of your home being burnt to cinders due to the rise of blackouts. Steenkamp is warning of the increasing number of fires due to load shedding. He has investigated at least 16 homes and businesses in the last month.

According to Steenkamp, around 5 or 10 minutes after the electricity has been restored from Eskom, and house fires start from the DV board.

The preventive measure homeowners can take when there is a power surge is switching off the distribution board. Once the power is restored, DV boards can again be switched on. Steenkamp says this will assist; however, there is no sufficient protection.

Listen below to the interview with Mufti Yusuf Moosaie and Investigator Thys Steenkamp on Radio Islam’s podcast.

ESKOM Tariff Hike and Load Shedding Raises Concerns

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za 3-minute read 31 January 2025 | 19:30 CAT The return of load shedding, just a day after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) granted Eskom a tariff increase of 12.7%, has raised fresh concerns about the state of...

Making life more affordable: A sustainable future for South Africa

Azra Hoosen | ah@radioislam.co.za 31 January 2025 | 18:40 CAT 2 min read From the soaring prices of groceries and fuel to managing household budgets, it is becoming increasingly challenging for many families to make ends meet. As South Africa grapples with the growing...

The Science of Decision Making: Why We Choose What We Choose – Saajida Kharwa

https://soundcloud.com/radioislam/the-science-of-decision-making-why-we-choose-what-we-choose-saajida-kharwa DOWNLOAD

Tribute to Imaam Ekeraam Diedericks

https://soundcloud.com/radioislam/tribute-to-imaam-ekeraam-diedericks DOWNLOAD

Unity, Unity, Unity

The ongoing conflict in Palestine is a matter of profound concern for Muslims around the world. The suffering of the Palestinian people, who face occupation, violence, and the denial of basic human rights, demands a unified and determined response from the global...

Gauteng Water Crisis: Infrastructure Failures Leave Thousands Without Water

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za 3-minute read 30 January 2025 | 18:43 CAT Thousands of households in Gauteng continue to face severe water shortages, despite the completion of scheduled maintenance by Rand Water. The crisis has prompted urgent calls for both...