Thursday, December 20, 2007

Fire rips through Khayelitsha informal settlement

By Chanel September
20 December 2007


Residents of the SST informal settlement in Khayelitsha were left homeless; after a fire broke out in the area on Wednesday evening.

The blaze which ripped through the neighborhood left approximately 66 people displaced.

“At least 21 informal dwellings have been destroyed. However no injuries or deaths have been reported,” says Disaster Management spokesperson Johann Minnie.

“The residents were provided with building material to rebuild their homes. The cause of the blaze has not yet been established,” says Minnie.

People resinding in informal settlements are asked to take the follwing saftey precaustions into concedration, to ensure a safer festive season, free from fires:

· Never leave the children alone with matches, the stove or candles

· Check that any matches or lighters are stored out of sight and above a stretch zone line

· When cooking always supervise children every moment in the kitchen

· If a pan fire occurs smother a pan fire by covering with a lid

· Be extremely careful of open flames around homes and buildings

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