More than 140 people have been displaced after a fire ripped through part of the Riemvasmaak informal settlement in Pelican Park.
The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, Sonica Lategan, says a fire broke out in the D-Section of the settlement on Wednesday.
Lategan says over 100 structures were destroyed, with sanitation infrastructure and electric cables also damaged.
“The assessment concluded that 106 structures were destroyed, and 141 persons displaced – most of them single adults. In terms of infrastructure, 11 toilets and taps were damaged, along with electrical cables,” said Lategan in a statement.
Earlier on Wednesday, Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, confirmed that no injuries were reported. He noted that the cause of the fire is not yet known.
Those affected received humanitarian assistance from a team with Gift of the Givers on Wednesday evening after the fire was contained.
Meanwhile, Lategan said the Disaster Risk Management Centre has been in touch with SASSA to provide further assistance.
“The Disaster Risk Management Centre will activate SASSA to provide relief beyond the immediate aftermath.”
The City’s Solid Waste department will be on site to clear debris. The Energy and Water & Sanitation departments are also expected on site to repair damage to infrastructure, said Lategan.
She further noted that the City’s Informal Settlements Management Branch was on the scene to “register the affected persons”. The entity is also expected to approach the Human Settlements Department for emergency housing kits.
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