A devastating fire on the corner of Sixth Street and Eight Avenue in Boksburg North on the evening of May 10 left about 30 people homeless.
According to Austin Chirwa, a caretaker who lives on the property, the fire started at about 19:00 inside one of the 15 rooms rented out on the property.
“We just saw flames and heard people screaming,” he said.
Chirwa said everyone inside the property managed to escape, adding that one person sustained minor injuries.
He said the cause of the fire is still unknown, and 10 rooms were damaged.
“We lost everything and don’t know where to go now. We don’t even have food,” he said.
Another tenant, Dave Kalua, said residents immediately jumped in and tried to put out the blaze, but it spread quickly.
“The fire department had to come and get the situation under control,” Kalua said.
Chirwa and Kalua appealed for the community’s help.
Donations of blankets, clothing and food would be greatly appreciated.
If you can assist, contact Chirwa on 083 752 7090.
This fire comes after over 35 shacks at the Delmore informal settlement were destroyed on the evening of April 24.
Furthermore, 33 families from the Ramaphosa informal settlement were left devastated after a fire broke out on April 27
The Boksburg Advertiser previously reported that Ward Clr Tsotang Motloung shared five valuable tips to prevent fires:
• Keep shacks at least 3m apart to prevent fires from spreading rapidly.
• Be vigilant with open flames and heat sources like paraffin stoves, candles and electrical connections. Never leave them unattended.
• Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby to extinguish small fires quickly.
• Be aware of the dangers of illegal and faulty electrical connections. Check for warning signs, like flickering lights, odd smells or frayed cords. Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under furniture.
• Call the local emergency services’ firefighters promptly in case of a fire.
Boksburg Advertiser awaits comment from DEMS.
Also read: 35 shacks razed by fire in Delmore informal settlement
Also read: Devasting fire leaves several Blue Skye residents displaced
