A devastating shack fire in Lwandle last Tuesday (15 April) displaced 681 residents, leaving them in dire straits after their possessions went up in flames.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette reported that the fire broke out in the Silahwe Nkanini informal settlement and left a trail of devastation in its wake (“Raging shack fire wreaks havoc“, 15 April).
The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service responded to an emergency call of informal structures ablaze near Dumisani Street, Lwandle around 09:00 on Tuesday.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for Fire and Rescue Services, said due to the density of the area and winds that were fanning the fire, more than 10 firefighting resources and 50 firefighters were deployed to the scene. They succeeded in containing the fire by 14:00.
Ward 83 councillor Xolani Diniso initially estimated that around 200 people had been displaced by the blaze when interviewed at the scene.
However, an assessment conducted by the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre on Wednesday (16 April) concluded that nearly 700 people had been left homeless after hundreds of informal structures were gutted. “The fire has destroyed 201 structures and has affected 681 people,” said Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the City’s Disaster Risk Management.
She said emergency shelters were erected and a community hall has been made available to assist and temporarily house fire victims, who now have to rebuild their lives.
Relief efforts continued on Thursday (17 April) when the City’s Informal Settlement, Electricity Services, Solid Waste and Environmental Health departments as well as Lwandle police were on the ground to provide assistance. Humanitarian relief was provided by the South African Red Cross Society and Gift of the Givers.
The publication could not gain insight into the dire situation many fire victims are facing before the print deadline on Tuesday morning (22 April).
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