11 people left homeless after a fire broke out in Blue Downs

Loyiso Langeni
06 August 2013

Late last night a fire which occurred in Bardale Informal Settlement, Blue Downs left eleven people homeless.

The fire destroyed two structures with estimated costs of damages amounting to R84,000. 

It is believed that the fire was caused by a short circuit in electrical wiring, but police are investigating. 

Onele Ndesi from the Disaster Risk Management Centre said the City of Cape Town will provide relief in the form of blankets and food parcels.

Ndesi added that the City is appealing to residents to be fire safe when dealing with open flames when going to bed. Ndesi said people should isolate electrical devices and extinguish gas burners, lamps, candles and paraffin stoves in order to prevent fires.