THE Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCM) is urging the public to be vigilant and not to leave candles, heaters, or paraffin lamps unattended.
According to BCM spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya, the BCM’s Fire and Emergency units responded to a fire in Nompumelelo Township which burned down approximately 27 shacks on Monday, July 29.
“Fortunately, there are no reports of any fatalities or injuries,” Ngwenya explained. He said that Ward 15 councillor, Nwabisa Mcwabeni, had arranged for the displaced families to be accommodated at the Nompumelelo Community Hall while processes to pick up the pieces are unfolding.
“The cause of the fire is still under investigation,” he stated.
Ngwenya has urged communities to be vigilant.
“With the dry and windy conditions, fires tend to spread quickly and one mistake can have devastating consequences. It is important for people to be on high alert,” Ngwenya urged.
“While we promote safety through awareness campaigns that include school visits, it is not only at home that this must be practiced. It needs to filter down to all children.”
Ngwenya said the BCM was still undertaking operations to curb illegal connections and these include offering amnesty to those who were tampering.
“Amongst the key deliverables of the amnesty is to move people from an unsafe environment of illegal connections to a secure connection.
“This can make a difference between life and death. The council is considering extending the amnesty so that we can move more people away from tampering, “ he added.
The BCM is urging the public to be
always be cautious by:
- Extinguishing candles, stoves, and heaters before leaving the room or going to sleep,
- Always keeping candles and paraffin lamps out of the reach of children,
- Keeping candles and paraffin lamps in the centre of the table, away from curtains, papers, and other combustible items, and avoiding illegal electrical connections.
- Refraining from leaving candles or paraffin stoves and heaters unattended.
“The public can contact the Fire and Rescue Services for the entire Buffalo City area at 043 705 9000 as soon as they see any fire before serious damages can occur.”
