More than 120 people homeless after fire destroys 65 shacks in north
“The impacted households include 103 adults and 18 children.”
Tragedy hit the Sticker informal settlement in Kameeldrift in the north of Pretoria when 65 shacks were destroyed in a fire last month.
The fire broke out at around 13:27 on Tuesday, June 27, according to Tshwane emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso.
“A water tanker, a mobile command unit and grass firefighting were used to fight and contain the blaze,” he said.
Firefighters managed to contain the fire within an hour before it could spread to more shacks.
“The impacted households included 103 adults and 18 children.”
Paramedics and emergency personnel on the scene reported no injuries or fatalities.
Mabaso said the cause of the fire was unknown.
Some residents, however, believed that a resident using a primus stove for cooking started the fire.
Mabaso told Rekord that the destroyed shacks were built with combustible materials such as plastic sheets.
They were also built close to each other.
The Tshwane disaster management centre issued the affected households with 72 mattresses and 110 blankets.
A victim, Diketso Makhubela, said she had lost the roof over her head.
She also has lost her documents.
“My baby does not have a certificate or a clinic card, as they were all destroyed in the fire.
“It’s winter, and my child is still very young. The cold is too much. I am afraid that she will get sick.”
Makhubela pleaded with anyone to help with clothes and food.
“Anyone who can help us, please donate nappies, baby clothes, food, milk and toiletries.”
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