An effort to stay warm while on duty seems to have cost a local security guard his life.
Police say the body of a security guard was found on Eenzaamheid outside Vredenburg on Thursday 1 June.
It seems in an effort to stave off the cold during his night shift he made a small fire in a konka, which he apparently took into his security booth where he fell asleep. Police suspect the guard simply never woke up due to smoke inhalation.
It appears the security guard was in service of a private fish business.
Another man was found deceased in similar circumstances on Tuesday. A family member found the deceased and his partner in their home in Middelpos, Saldanha. It appears the two used a small braai to keep warm in the lounge. The woman was rushed to hospital and has survived.
Captain Tania Helfrich, West Coast police spokesperson, confirmed no foul play was suspected in either case.
With the country in the grips of winter and ongoing load shedding, more residents will be looking to stay warm through any means they can. Fires indoors can easily spread and get out of control. Candles, paraffin stoves and fires left unattended are some of the main causes of home fires.. Stay alert and never leave fires and cooking stoves unattended. Be sure to put candles and lamps out before going to sleep or leaving home.. Plan ahead and keep buckets of water and sand ready to put out small fires before they spread.. Know the emergency numbers to call for help, if needed. When phoning, give the full address and a landmark (a shop or school) to enable firefighters to find you quickly.Emergency numbers
Bergrivier Fire and Rescue: 083 661 9253/022 433 8700, Saldanha Bay 022 713 1815/086 007 3473 and West Coast District Municipality Fire Services can be reached at 022 433 8700.
