Fires causes destruction in Cape Town – numerous people left homeless

Overnight numerous people were left homeless as a result of fires that occurred in Cape Town in the following areas:

UITSIG: At 21:40 on Friday, 12 October 2012 a fire destroyed one backyard dwelling in Gousblom Street, Uitsig. The occupants escaped the blaze shortly after the occurrence.

ATLANTIS: At 00:17 on Saturday, 13 October 2012 the City’s Fire & Rescue Services was informed of a fire at that destroyed one backyard dwelling at 27 Albatross Place, Robinvale, Atlantis. The fire was extinguished prior to the arrival of the emergency services by occupants. One adult sustained fatal burn wounds and was declared deceased on the scene.

VALHALLAH PARK: A fire occurred at 03:30 on Saturday, 13 October 2012 at 8th Avenue and Eleanor Road, Valhallah Park. It is estimated that approximately 150 – 200 shacks were gutted by fire. The City’s disaster response teams are on the scene assessing the impact of the fire.

The City’s disaster response teams will be providing social relief of distress assistance to the fire victims during the course of the day.

The humanitarian relief aid will consist of food parcels, clothing, blankets and building material.

The City’s authorities will probe investigations into these incidents to establish the cause of the fires.

End



Source: Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Head: Systems Integration, Special Projects & Disaster Operations, Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town