Fire claims 20 shacks
Ekurhuleni Emergency Services are investigating the cause of a fire which burnt down at least 20 shacks, in Brentwood Park, on Monday morning.
The fire broke out in an informal settlement in Road No Five, at approximately 7.45am, but no one sustained injuries.
District manager for Ekurhuleni Emergency Services, David Tshabalala, said emergency personnel must still establish how many people have been left homeless by the fire, as many people are at work and at school.
Residents of the informal settlement, who did not want to be named, said many people lost personal belongings, including clothes, ID books, cell phones and bank cards.
She said about 70 people had been affected by the fire.
Tshabalala said plans to re-locate or determine what will happen to those who have lost their shacks are underway.
Clr André du Plessis said he is thankful no one was injured in the fire and commended emergency services for responding to the scene timeously and preventing more shacks from burning down.
