Mayor Dube offers much-needed relief support to Fairleigh church fire victims
The mayor expressed gratitude on behalf of the municipality that no one was seriously hurt, even though several people inhaled smoke.
While most of Newcastle was celebrating the start of 2024 with a beautiful display of fireworks with family and friends, eight Fairleigh families were met with devastation and fear after a fire swept through a church property in the early hours of January 1.
The fire left nothing but a wake of destruction and these families are facing the reality of being left completely destitute with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Newcastle Mayor, Xolani Dube, led a delegation including Speaker of Council, Cllr T. Zulu, Ward Cllr Singh, Cllr F. Cassim, the Disaster Unit, and the Housing Department within the Newcastle Municipality, to swiftly assess the extent of the damage and provide the most immediate possible aid to the victims.
The fire swept through the suburb, engulfing multiple houses and a local church that were all on the same property.
In a bid to restore the dignity of the families, the delegation handed out much-needed food relief parcels, sanitary towels, and blankets to the families and further promised to provide continuous assistance by finding a long-term solution.
“No family deserves to kick-start their new year in this devastating manner. As a government that cares about the well-being of our people, we couldn’t fold our arms while residents are in dire need of immediate attention. We needed to act with speed, and we are pleased that the family will now have shelter and food during these difficult times,” remarked Dube.
Dube expressed his gratitude to all of the medical professionals who were at the scene quickly, despite the holiday, for their attentive care and diligent efforts to ensure the well-being of individuals who had inhaled smoke.
The mayor further invited community members to lend a helping hand through donations of non-perishable food, clothes, sanitary towels, and nappies
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