A bleak Christmas lies ahead for many left destitute after several fires. The latest blaze occurred early this morning in the Wag ‘n Bietjie Informal Settlement in Strand. The Spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Services, Jermaine Carelse says a man also died in that fire.
A bleak Christmas lies ahead for many left destitute after several fires
Carelse says firefighters were called to Richmond Street in Nomzamo, around 1 am. He says due to the strong winds, fanning the flames, the blaze could only be extinguished by 5.30 am. The Police have opened an inquest docket after a man had died, reportedly from smoke inhalation.
Formal assessment has begun
Meanwhile, the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre says a formal assessment has begun to determine the number of structures destroyed and persons affected, in the latest fire in the Peninsula. Disaster Management Spokesperson, Sonica Lategan, says it’s unclear how many people were affected at this stage.
Donations welcome
At the same time, Lategan says they’ve called on their NGO partners to assist those who have been left destitute in today’s and yesterday’s fires. People have also been contacting the Disaster Risk Management Centre saying they wish to donate, to the fire victims.
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She says you can donate, clothes, non-perishable food items like rice, maize meal, tinned fish or beans, baby formula, as well as personal hygiene items. You can leave your donation 24/7 at the security gate of the offices of the NGO, Living Hope in the Deep South. The office is located opposite the Sunnyacres Shopping Centre.
Eight fires in seven days for Gift of the Givers
The humanitarian organization, Gift of the Givers says their staff have been kept busy over the past few days, assisting the victims of several fires in the City. Their spokesperson, Ali Sablay says they went out to eight fires, that have been reported over the past 7 days. He says one of th fires was in De Doorns and the local municipality had contacted them because the people affected were seasonal farm workers.
