Hundreds left destitute after Sunday morning blaze
“We’re now calling for any form of assistance from community members."
At least 120 people were left destitute after an early morning fire ravaged their shacks at an informal settlement in Kameeldrift, north of Pretoria, police said on Monday.
“Following our visit to the site, we established that around 120 people were affected by the fire,” police spokesperson Sergeant Mavis Sindane said.
The blaze broke out on Plot 111, along Sakabuka Road in the Moloto area.
Sindane said around 50 shacks were destroyed in the fire.
“We’re now calling for any form of assistance from community members,” she said, adding that any form of aid would be appreciated.
Tshwane emergency service department spokesperson Charles Mabaso, on Sunday, said initial reports from firefighters who attended to the blaze indicated that 10 shacks were burned.
He said they received the distress call shortly after 00:00 and firefighters arrived at the scene to find multiple shacks were ablaze.
“Our ambulances transported four patients to Mamelodi hospital – one with moderate injuries and the other three with minor injuries,” he said.
Assisting in the fire rescue were local volunteers from Sinoville Firefighters Association.
Chairman Johan Botha said their volunteers helped several other firefighters and emergency services fight the fire that was spreading rapidly between the shacks.
“Thanks to CJ, Anthony and Jacques who responded swiftly to the scene to help douse the fire,” said Botha.
“They really carried out our motto: we serve to rescue, and we are extremely proud of them.”
The cause of the fire remains unknown.
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