RECAP: At least 15 units at Sunninghill Complex burnt – VIDEOS

A fire broke out at a complex on Eldoret Street in Sunninghill at around 9.27am this morning and at least 15 units have been burnt. The fire is now contained.

All people and animals have been evacuated.

Linda Gildenhuys, Sunninghill Community chair, said the fire spread quickly and the fire department was dispatched.

“Savika Security and Netcare911 proceeded to begin with evacuations as the fire spread to the thatch. All those who could not more fast enough and animals were carried out,” said Gildenhuys.

She said the fire department arrived at 10.16am.

By 12.30pm, Gildenhuys said that the fire department was making progress in putting out the fire but a number of units had been burnt.

“We will be finding out if there are any residents and animals that need accommodation tonight with a meal. Once we do, we will post and ask if our Sunninghill residents can help in this regard,” said Gildenhuys.

https://twitter.com/King_Khuzwayo/status/1032561639533539328

Johannesburg Emergency Management Services spokesperson, Nana Radebe, said the services were alerted to a structural fire at 9.35am this morning.

Earlier, Radebe said, two flats had caught fire and no fatalities or injuries were reported. By 12.30pm, Radebe said 15 units had been burnt.

Sandton: Numerous townhouses have been burned, thankfully all occupants and animals have been evacuated thanks to @CityofJoburgEMS and other emergency services @Sandton_News @FatalMoves @_ArriveAlive @ewnupdates @SABCNewsOnline pic.twitter.com/EsWS94rnr0

— NETCARE 911 (@Netcare911_sa) August 23, 2018

Radebe said, “Preliminary investigations will be conducted after the fire fighting.”

It is not known how the fire started but the emergency services are still on scene, attending to the fire.

Serengeti on fire.. @eNCA @SABCNewsOnline #Sunninghill #joburgnorth pic.twitter.com/vITOTZxlxq

— Thendo Tshikovhi (@DuncanTshikovhi) August 23, 2018

Candice James, Ward 93 councillor, said it seemed that a thatch roof had caught on fire.

“There are three fire engines from Sandton, Alexandra and Ivory Park fire stations on the scene to put out the fire,” said James.

Just saw 3rd fire truck on their way. Water not really touching sides….#fire #sunninghill https://t.co/Zx2XXo1gqI

— Madam Butterfly (@intrepidesigner) August 23, 2018

She also said that ER24, Netcare 911 and Savika Security were also on the scene and assisting residents.

Linda Gildenhuys, chairperson of Sunninghill Community, said the complex had been evacuated. She alleged that the fire department had taken almost an hour to arrive on the scene. She added that they were having a huge problem with onlookers and people who were trying to take photos of the scene.

https://twitter.com/ER24EMS/status/1032556433466970112

Just last week, Sunninghill residents united to put out a blaze in a veld.

READ MORE: IN PICTURES: Fire burns in Sunninghill

This is a developing story and more updates will be provided as they are made available.

Watch this video, posted by Netcare911.

Sandton: Complex unit on fire in Sunninghill, no injuries reported. More details to follow. @ewnupdates @SABCNewsOnline @jour_maine @Sandton_News @FatalMoves @_ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/mxT84o7By3

— NETCARE 911 (@Netcare911_sa) August 23, 2018

Sunninghill Community picks up the pieces after blaze destroys 15 units in complex

Now that the fire at a Sunninghill complex – which destroyed 15 houses – has been contained, the Sunninghill Community is looking to lend a hand to those whose homes have been burnt.

The complex is on the corner of Eldorset Street and Limur Lane in Sunninghill Gardens.

Chairperson of the Sunninghill Community, Linda Gildenhuys, has said that they would try their best to assist those who needed a place to stay tonight with shelter and food, and called on fellow community members to assist in this regard.

“We will be finding out if there are any residents and animals that need accommodation tonight with a meal. Once we do, we will post and ask if our Sunninghill residents can help in this regard,” said Gildenhuys.

She also thanked residents for their offers of help, prayers and outpouring of love and concern.

Journalist Robyn Kirk is on the scene and says calm had been restored to the complex and that no smoke was visible from Eldorset Street. There is still one fire truck at the entrance to the complex.

Sunninghill Community calls for funds to assist residents who lost their homes in blaze

The Sunninghill Community has thanked community members for their offers of help after a fire destroyed at least 15 units in a complex this morning, 23 August.

Chair of Sunninghill Community, Linda Gildenhuys, posted on the Sunninghill Community Ratepayers Facebook page this afternoon that a previous appeal for accommodation for the residents who lost their homes in the blaze was put on hold but that funds were needed.

ALSO READ: Sunninghill Community picks up the pieces after blaze destroys 15 units in complex

Gildenhuys wrote:

“Dear all update on FIRE DISASTER,

Thank you for all the wonderful offers of help. With regards to accommodation we will put this on hold for the time being and might come back to you at a later stage for this.

The complex insurance will put the residents left homeless with their animals in BnB’s. We are not sure for how long. What we do need is financial help for emergencies. A number of residents have lost everything they own and some are without insurance.

Yesterday, a fire broke out along the Braamfontein Spruit in Bryanston.

READ MORE: WATCH: Fire breaks out along banks of Braamfontein Spruit in Bryanston

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