UPDATE: Mooiplaas community helps after disastrous fire

A local disaster management organisation lent a helping hand to the 70 people whose homes were destroyed in a fire at the Mooiplaas informal settlement in Centurion on Monday.

The fire swept through 27 shacks during the morning hours.

“By the evening, our team and Laudium ward councillor Mohammed Essop visited the area to help the community,” said Ibraheem Dockrat of Laudium disaster management.

“We handed out blankets and food donations to the affected families.”

“It was a ‘double distribution’ as we ended up doing the same at the Bremer Street informal settlement where another 30 shacks burned down also on Monday.”

Dockrat said the initiative was part of an ongoing effort by Laudium disaster management to uplift areas around Pretoria.

“We hosted blanket runs at the beginning of the year and immediately donated half of the blankets to those in need,” he said.

“The rest we kept for situations like these.”

Dockrat said the Mooiplaas community was very grateful for their assistance.

“Our goal is to return on Tuesday evening to continue helping those affected by the fires with food and blankets,” he said.

“We have already received some more generous donations and welcome any members of the public who want to assist us.”

The fire on Monday at Mooiplaas didn’t result in any injuries or casualties.

Ward 48 councillor Kingsley Wakelin said arrangements were being made for blankets, mattresses, food as well as social services to respond to the affected families.

Wakelin said the fire was possibly caused by an accident involving a paraffin stove.

ALSO READ: NEWSFLASH: Centurion fire leaves 70 homeless

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