eMakhazeni residents fight fire with buckets as homes burn
Enkanini informal settlement in Belfast was engulfed in flames as residents desperately tried to battle the blaze with buckets of water.
Several families have been left without homes, after a fire tore through the Enkanini informal settlement in Belfast yesterday (August 5) evening.
The blaze spread quickly through the settlement, destroying several corrugated iron structures and leaving families with little more than the clothes they were wearing.
Neighbours rushed to help, forming bucket lines and using water from nearby taps in a desperate attempt to stop the flames from spreading.
Footage from the scene show locals tirelessly trying to carry furniture and other belongings to safety as thick smoke filled the air.
Despite their efforts, several homes were destroyed. Years of hard work disappeared in a matter of minutes.
Emergency response questioned
The fire has also raised questions about Emakhazeni Local Municipality’s emergency response.
In a statement yesterday, ActionSA Emakhazeni alleged that only one firefighter arrived at the scene in a municipal utility vehicle, which was not equipped to tackle the large fire.
Mayoral candidate, Daniel Foyoyo Maseko further said that no fully-equipped fire engine was dispatched despite requests for additional assistance during the dangerous situation.
According to Maseko, yesterday’s fire was the third reported on the same street in the informal settlement of the town, in just the past six months.
“Community members risked their own lives trying to save their neighbours’ homes and belongings while municipal emergency services failed to provide adequate assistance,” he said.
Cause still unknown
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
It is also unclear exactly how many homes were destroyed or whether anyone was injured.
An enquiry has been made regarding the emergency response by the Emakhazeni Local Municipality, including the number of firefighters and vehicles deployed, the availability of operational fire engines, and what assistance will be provided to the affected families.
At the time of publication, no official response had been received.
