Fire destroys 4 houses and 7 shacks leaving 36 people displaced – two adults dies

MITCHELL’S PLAIN: At 16:25 on Saturday, 22 December 2012 a fire was reported at 5 Mimosa Close, Westridge, Mitchell’s Plain. As a result two dwellings were severely gutted by the fire including another outbuilding. The occupants [14 people] lost all their possessions in the fire. One female adult was treated on-scene by paramedics for smoke inhalation.

MFULENI: A fire that occurred at 22:32 on Saturday, 22 December 2012 destroyed one shack at Luyolo Street, Extension 3 in Mfuleni resulting in the displacement of 2 people.

MFULENI: Another fire occurred in the Mfuleni shortly after the preceding fire was extinguished at an adjacent section area. The blaze destroyed one dwelling and two wood and iron structures at 3196 Mvumvu Street, Extension 4 in Mfuleni. As a result four persons were left homeless.

KHAYELITSHA: At 02:55 on Sunday, December 23, 2012, four wood and iron structures were destroyed by a fire at the Taiwan Informal Settlement, off Idada Street, Khayelitsha (next to Trinco Shop) that left 16 people homeless. The fire claimed the lives of a 19 year old female and a 24 year old male which identity has not been made known. The deceased persons were living in separate structures that were entrapped by the blaze. It is believed that the fire was caused by a candle that fallen over.

The City’s disaster response teams assisted the fire victims with the supply of food parcels, blankets, baby packs, clothing and building material; including emergency psychosocial trauma counseling.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre encourages residents to be fire safe when working with open flames. When going to bed, residents should isolate electrical devices and extinguish gas burners, candles, lamps and paraffin stoves in order to prevent fires.

For more information on how to prevent fires please visit City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre on www.capetown.gov.za/disaster.

End

Issued by: Disaster Risk Management Centre, City of Cape Town

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