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22 September 2023
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Tshwane firefighters battle several informal settlement fires, a substation and restaurant fire after storm
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Tshwane Emergency Services battled several fires amid Tuesday evening's strong winds, which wreaked havoc in parts of the city. Multiple shack fires were reported in Soshanguve block and the Kameeldrift informal settlement. The Pyramid substation also caught fire but firefighters managed to extinguish it. Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso says emergency personnel were also called to a fire incident at the Summit Restaurant in Garsfontein.
“Emergency services are still on scene finalising the putting out of hotspots. Only the second floor where the sound is being played caught fire and sustained damage. The part of the restaurant on the ground floor and the kitchen as well as the rooftop did not suffer any damages,” says Mabaso.
"The Tshwane Emergency Services responded to multiple incidents that were noted on social media due to the storm that wreaked havoc in various parts of Tshwane, uprooting trees in areas like Valhalla and Centurion, even though there are no incidents reported in those areas. In Soshanguve block X a shack fire was reported at around 21h30, emergency services were dispatched and no injuries were reported. The fire was subsequently extinguished," said Mabaso.
Mabaso said the Dorandia dumping site in Pretoria North was also reported to be on fire at the same time. "Firefighters were dispatched and remained at the incident until the early hours of this morning. The fire was put out at around 04h00am this morning," he said.
The Pyramid substation also caught fire. He said firefighters were also dispatched at around 10 pm and the fire was also extinguished.
The Kameeldrift informal settlement in north of Pretoria also reported multiple shack fires. Mabaso said disaster management is still assessing the number of shacks that were damaged.
"In Soshanguve block HH, a house roof was blown away and disaster management was activated, no alternative accommodation was required. The family managed to house itself in a room that was remaining. Three shacks were also blown away in block KK Soshanguve, disaster management was also dispatched and people managed to find accommodation with the neighbours," he added.
Hundreds displaced after 95 shacks go up in flames in Kameeldrift
Around 217 people were displaced from the Kameeldrift community in Pretoria after 95 shacks were engulfed in flames when a fire at a nearby dump spread due to high winds. The City of Tshwane Disaster Management teams responded to the fires and have moved displaced families into temporary shelters at Kameeldrift Hall, while men have been accommodated at a local church.
The City’s risk management teams have also provided mattresses, while other organisations such as the Seventh-day Adventist Church prepare food for the victims of the fire.
Sources: Deputy chief Charles Mabaso and Deputy Chief Motolla, City of Tshwane Emergency Services, IOL
“Emergency services are still on scene finalising the putting out of hotspots. Only the second floor where the sound is being played caught fire and sustained damage. The part of the restaurant on the ground floor and the kitchen as well as the rooftop did not suffer any damages,” says Mabaso.
"The Tshwane Emergency Services responded to multiple incidents that were noted on social media due to the storm that wreaked havoc in various parts of Tshwane, uprooting trees in areas like Valhalla and Centurion, even though there are no incidents reported in those areas. In Soshanguve block X a shack fire was reported at around 21h30, emergency services were dispatched and no injuries were reported. The fire was subsequently extinguished," said Mabaso.
Mabaso said the Dorandia dumping site in Pretoria North was also reported to be on fire at the same time. "Firefighters were dispatched and remained at the incident until the early hours of this morning. The fire was put out at around 04h00am this morning," he said.
The Pyramid substation also caught fire. He said firefighters were also dispatched at around 10 pm and the fire was also extinguished.
The Kameeldrift informal settlement in north of Pretoria also reported multiple shack fires. Mabaso said disaster management is still assessing the number of shacks that were damaged.
"In Soshanguve block HH, a house roof was blown away and disaster management was activated, no alternative accommodation was required. The family managed to house itself in a room that was remaining. Three shacks were also blown away in block KK Soshanguve, disaster management was also dispatched and people managed to find accommodation with the neighbours," he added.
Hundreds displaced after 95 shacks go up in flames in Kameeldrift
Around 217 people were displaced from the Kameeldrift community in Pretoria after 95 shacks were engulfed in flames when a fire at a nearby dump spread due to high winds. The City of Tshwane Disaster Management teams responded to the fires and have moved displaced families into temporary shelters at Kameeldrift Hall, while men have been accommodated at a local church.
The City’s risk management teams have also provided mattresses, while other organisations such as the Seventh-day Adventist Church prepare food for the victims of the fire.
Sources: Deputy chief Charles Mabaso and Deputy Chief Motolla, City of Tshwane Emergency Services, IOL
