Numerous fires causes destruction that leaves 120 people homeless this weekend

Over the past weekend numerous fires caused destruction resulting in people losing their personal belongings and livelihoods.

On Friday night and Saturday morning nearly 90 people have been left homeless after 19 shacks were gutted to the ground in Ocean View; Brown’s Farm and Sweet Homes Informal Settlements that are both in the Phillipi area.

The City’s disaster response teams are currently aiding another 32 people that were affected by the following fires in the past 24 hours:

LLWANDLE, STRAND: A fire occurred at 18:51 on Saturday, 11 February 2012 at the Llwandle Informal Settlement near Strand. The fire destroyed 11 shacks leaving 26 people displaced.

WALLACEDENE, KRAAIFONTEIN: At 22:12 on Saturday, 11 February 2012 a fire destroyed one shack at 22 Omar Street at Wallacedene in Kraaifontein, resulting in the displacement of four (4) people.


MPUMLANI VILLAGE, LOTUS RIVER: The recent fire occurred at 05:24 on Sunday, 12 February 2012 at the Mpumlani Village Informal Settlement in Lotus River, that destroyed 20 shacks affecting 72 people.

In the recent spate of fires this past weekend no persons sustained injuries; however the City appeals to residents to exercise caution when dealing with open flames; candles, lamps; paraffin stoves; and including electricity connections.

The series of fires for this weekend totals to 120 people been left homeless; and another 120 shacks been destroyed.

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.

For more information how to prevent fires visit the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre on www.capetown.gov.za/en/DRM/Pages/StructuralFire.aspx.

Source:

Wilfred Schrevian Evan Solomons-Johannes
Head: Systems Integration & Special Projects
Acting Head: Disaster Operations Centre