90 left homeless after informal settlement fire

By Megan Hartogh

At least 90 people have been left homeless, after a fire destroyed 52 shacks in the Mandela Park informal settlement in Hout Bay on Sunday. According to Disaster Management spokesperson, Wilfred Solomons, the fire was the result of an unattended candle tipping over. Solomons says that the victims have received donations of blankets, food parcels and clothing. He says that there have also been promises by the solid waste department to have the area cleared in order for people to salvage what is left of their belongings and start re-building their homes. The man who left the candle unattended, sustained first degree burns, and is receiving treatment in a local hospital.