A child died after inhaling smoke and more than a thousand people have been left homeless after a fire in an informal settlement in Marlboro, Johannesburg on Saturday.

Johannesburg Emergency Management Services say that more than 120 shacks inside a building were gutted

Officials say the cause of the fire in unknown.

“We have had fire incidents in those areas [before], but unfortunately in this one we lost a one-year-old child who sustained burns and succumbed to smoke inhalation later on,” said Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi.

Officials said they were assessing the damage and would assist those affected.

“At this stage we have activated our disaster management officials, who are working tirelessly to make sure that relief is conducted in the area to the affected families,” Mulaudzi said.

“From our side, as emergency services, we are continuing with our winter safety campaign to make sure that we reduce the number of fires and fatalities in Johannesburg.

“Last month we already had a fire incident at Princess Maponya informal settlement [in Jeppestown] where two people lost their lives.

51% of dwellings mostly affected by fire in winter are informal settlements;open flames are the main source of heating & cause of most fires pic.twitter.com/5P89SSBXwi

— City of Joburg EMS (@CityofJoburgEMS) July 12, 2017

“We hope that if our fire campaigns and Jozi safety kits initiatives are introduced to our communities we will be able to reduce the fire incidents in our communities.”

A cold front is expected to hit Gauteng late on Sunday and residents are being warned against leaving candles, stoves or mbaulas unattended.

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