The City of Johannesburg announced that it is working to provide temporary emergency accommodation for nine people, including two children, left homeless after a devastating fire tore through Madala Hostel in Alexandra on Tuesday.

The fire, which destroyed four units in Block C5 and the communal kitchen on the fourth floor, reportedly started in a unit owned by Felinjani Ximba.

Read more: Residents reel after fire destroys multiple rooms at Madala Hostel

However, Ximba, who was at work when he learned about the fire incident, stated that there was nothing in his unit that could have caused the fire. “I only have two things that use electricity, and those are the fridge and the TV, and they were both off.”

Emergency Services Management spokesperson, Xolile Khumalo, confirmed that they managed to contain the fire on the upper floor before it could spread to the floors below.

But by the time it was fully extinguished, it had already gutted the kitchen and other rooms on the upper floor, destroying everything in its way, including furniture and the residents’ important documents.

Also read: Francisco accuses DA of overstepping in Ward 108 fire aid

During a visit to the hostel on Wednesday morning, MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, confirmed the city’s commitment to supporting the affected families. He said that the city is exploring alternative housing options for affected residents and has already initiated social relief measures. The city will also assist with replacing lost identification documents and providing school uniforms for children.

Mabaso noted that the damaged structure is part of a broader redevelopment plan, and there is an engineering report recommending its demolition. “Work has already begun to prepare alternative structures for decanting residents,” he said.

On the same day the fire broke out, the City of Johannesburg council approved the Hostel Revitalisation Unitary Plan, tabled by Mabaso. The plan paves the way for transforming hostels to address the long-standing issue of decay—an issue all too common at both Madala Hostel and Helen Joseph Women’s hostel in Alexandra.

According to the city, the plan incorporates three hostels in Alexandra, including Helen Joseph Women’s hostel, Madala Hostel and Nobuhle Hostel, into the Greater Alexandra Development initiative. The plan will now be submitted to Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Tasneem Motara, for further action.

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