Saturday, July 30, 2011

Fire in Johannesburg informal settlement a major challenge

By Khanyisa Tabata
30 July 2011

The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services says the shack fire in the Slovo Park informal settlement that left hundreds homeless last night proved to be a major challenge for them.

Some 100 shacks were destroyed in the blaze, leaving many people to face the freezing cold conditions out in the open.

Spokesperson for the fire fighters Percy Morokane says they had to keep going to the nearest bus depot 500 metres away to fill up with water as there were no hydrants in the settlement.

He added that a strong wind accelerated the spread of the fire and added to the misery of the residents who lost their homes.

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