A raging fire fuelled by strong winds ripped through Overcome Heights informal settlement on Monday 29 January, destroying 40 structures in its path and leaving 150 people displaced and a teenager injured.
Fire season has kept firefighters busy with multiple structural fires reported last week.
Jermaine Carelse, fire and rescue spokesperson, said on Monday alone fire crews attended to structural fires in Vrygrond, Masiphumelele, Broadlands and Overcome Heights.
“The prevailing wind conditions made firefighting efforts more difficult.”
Overcome Heights resident Gary Joshua sifted through piles of corrugated iron damaged in the fire last week.
The father-of-one said the blaze swept through his home so fast he couldn’t save any possessions.
“As I was taking my carpets out to clean I could smell smoke in the air, but didn’t really think anything of it so I returned indoors.”
The second time he stepped out of his informal structure he saw a neighbour’s roof engulfed in flames.
“Everything happened so quickly I just had to leave. We lost everything; all my son’s school clothes and books were destroyed.”
The family of three has to start from scratch to find clothing and furniture.
“We must start from scratch, and we don’t receive materials from the City for rebuilding so we have to borrow money to try and start from scratch.
“There was no chance of saving anything, not even an ID book. The wind was too strong and people started screaming so we just dropped everything and ran.”
Community leader Karen Mentoor said an unattended fire apparently led to the blaze.
“The wind was very strong so all people could do was run away. The fire started in one of the structures where a person who doesn’t have electricity made a fire to cook and left it unattended for a few seconds, and that is all it took with the strong wind.”
She added that residents in Overcome Heights are in desperate need of housing.
“The City is overlooking us and soon it is elections again. You don’t see any political parties now but when it is time to vote, everyone will come to get votes. But nobody is helping.”
The fire victims are in desperate need of clothing and food, she concluded.
According to Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Charlotte Powell initial indications are that approximately 40 structures were affected, leaving 150 people displaced.
“A 12-year-old boy was treated for burn wounds. Infrastructure damage includes standpipes, portable toilets and electrical infrastructure.
“The relevant City services will be activated to assist in this regard. In Masiphumelele, a fire destroyed 30 dwellings leaving 100 people displaced.
“Our NGO partners will provide humanitarian assistance and various City departments will assess the damaged infrastructure.
“Another fire occurred in Broadlands in Strand, where three formal houses and six informal dwellings have been destroyed.”
Meanwhile, faith-based non-profit Living Hope is appealing for urgent assistance with helping those affected by the fires.
“Three devastating fires struck the communities Living Hope serves, in Masiphumele, Overcome Heights and Capricorn [WHO IS COMMUNICATING HERE NOW? POWELL OR SOMEBODY FROM LIVING HOPE?].
“Living Hope’s community response team immediately started serving those who were affected, primarily with coordination of post disaster services and hot meals.
“In the coming week essential items like clothes, kitchen utensils, and basic food will be an urgent need for the families affected.”
To volunteer, contact Living Hope’s front desk on 021 784 2800 or email office@livinghope.co.za and to donate, drop essentials off at its Capri campus.
