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Informal settlement fire in Athlone, Cape Town, kills one
A fire broke out at the Hadji Ebrahim informal settlement in Belgravia, Athlone in Cape Town on Sunday evening, 14 February 2021 killing a 66-year-old man and leaving over 20 families homeless. Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, said they were called out just after 9pm on Sunday. “The call was received at 21h21 on Sunday evening. Response included a motor pump, rescue vehicle and a skid unit from Ottery, a motor pump from Wynberg, a motor pump and water tanker from Gugulethu, water tender from Landsdowne and a water tanker from Goodwood Fire Station. One adult male sustained fatal burn wounds.” Twenty-five fire fighters from Ottery, Wynberg, Gugulethu, Lansdowne and Goodwood were dispatched.
“The fire was extinguished at 23h54. 31 structures were destroyed and 124 people displaced. Challenges faced included the issue with the structures built up close to each other and the fireload of the structures,” said Carelse. People from the Hadji Ebrahim informal settlement in Belgravia say the fire started at the shack of the deceased oupa, whose 15-year-old daughter lived with him. Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said a death inquest has been opened for investigation, “The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.” Sources: Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service and The Daily Voice |
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