Man dies in Johannesburg shack fire

Johannesburg - A man died in a shack fire in the early hours of Sunday morning in Finetown, south of Johannesburg, the city's emergency management services (EMS) said.

"It's believed that the man was alone when the fire started. He succumbed to smoke inhalation while inside his shack and unfortunately lost his life," spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said in a statement.

The man was confirmed dead on the scene, with the fire believed to have taken place around 01:00.

The cause of the fire was presently unknown. EMS were investigating.

"We want to urge our communities, especially those within our informal settlements throughout the city to look after their heating and lighting appliances like candles, and paraffin stoves ‎to avoid... devastating fire incidences," Mulaudzi said.