Firefighters thwarted of extinguishing Langa fire; 2 other fires occurred during the day

The City of Cape Town has called on residents to help identify those individuals who hampered firefighters in the execution of their duties and cut several fire hoses.

This comes after a fire ripped through the Joe Slovo Informal Settlement on Saturday evening.

‘’While we rally around the residents of Langa whose lives have been turned upside down by this incident, the City also calls on residents to help identify those individuals who hampered firefighters in the execution of their duties and cut several fire hoses,’’ said mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith.

‘’More homes could have been saved, but for this interference, and although this type of behaviour is not new, it still boggles the mind that anyone would behave in this manner,’’ he added.

Smith says the joe slovo Informal Settlement fire was the third of three fires in Langa, on Saturday.

Of the three incidents, a man sustained fatal burns.

The Fire and Rescue Service was alerted about the first fire at 06:45 which appears to have started at the corner of Quinebe and Winnie Mandela Roads in Langa. Approximately 8 structures destroyed.

The second fire occurred at along the railway line at approximately 11:12. Approximately 15 informal structures were affected and no injuries were reported.

‘’The City’s Disaster Risk Management is coordinating relief and recovery efforts, assisted by various other City departments including Informal Settlements Management, Water and Sanitation, Solid Waste, Electricity and law enforcement agencies,’’ said smith.

‘’Disaster Risk Management and Informal Settlements Management are conducting an assessment to determine the exact number of persons affected,’’ added Smith.

The mayco member added that efforts are underway to make available emergency shelter. Meanwhile, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Gift of the Givers and Islamic Relief  are on scene to provide humanitarian assistance and clearing the fire site once it is safe to do so, in order for rebuilding to begin.

 

PICTURE - CoCT: Aerial view of the extent damages caused at Joe Slovo Informal Settlement, Langa

Done By: Mitchum George