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Thousand shacks destroyed in Cape Town fire affecting 4 000 people
An estimated 1 000 shacks were destroyed affecting 4 000 people after a fire ripped through Masiphumelele in Cape Town on Thursday, 17 December 2020. Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said the team was alerted to plumes of thick black smoke in the area at around 16h00. Carelse said the crew from Kommetjie Road swiftly responded to the fire, which was “fanned by strong winds and spreading at an alarming rate”. Carelse added that additional resources were called in, including eight fire fighting appliances and 40 staff, totalling 13 fire engines on scene. He said that earlier police had to be called in to control an unruly crowd who were interfering in the fire fighters' efforts to contain the blaze. He said the blaze was extinguished at 01h00am on Friday. No injuries were reported.
Cape Town mayoral committee of human settlements member Malusi Booi said approximately 1 000 dwellings were destroyed in the blaze. He said the affected residents would stay with their friends and family in the area. Booi said the city’s solid waste management department would clear the debris, sites would be demarcated and affected residents would be issued with proof of residence certificates for when they rebuild. Cape Town Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato, has signed the Local Disaster Declaration, which sets in motion the process for relief funding from the national government. The Western Cape Government has been engaged for an emergency gazetting of the local disaster, which is expected within the next 24 hours. Thereafter, funds for the emergency relief will be made available and it will enable the City to issue building kits to the registered fire-affected residents. Sources: Media office, City of Cape Town, Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service, TimesLIVE |
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