Boy (7) dies as fire razes informal settlements [VIDEO]
More than 100 people are homeless.
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy died and more than 100 people are homeless after fire raged through two informal settlements in Isipingo, between Saturday and Monday, 28 to 30 June.
eThekwini mayor, James Nxumalo visited the Dakota Beach Informal Settlement, on Monday, 30 June where a child died after a blaze engulfed it on Saturday evening, 28 June, which left 59 people homeless.
The city’s leadership also visited nearby Pilgrim Informal Settlement, where a fire broke out on Monday morning, 30 June which affected about 55 people.
The cause of the fires is unknown, but firefighters at Pilgrim told the mayor they suspected an illegal electricity connection may have been responsible for the inferno.
Mayor Nxumalo urged residents at informal settlements to remain on high alert and to take precautionary measures to prevent fires, especially during winter.
“You must avoid connecting electricity illegally, which is responsible for many of these fires. There are also dangers of electrocution and your children could die because of your actions. We all have an obligation not to break the law.”
He also revealed plans for the electrification of Pilgrim Informal Settlement and that municipal officials would be moving on site soon.
“This unfortunate incident happened when we were ready to deliver legal electricity connections as part of our programme to provide interim services to informal settlements in the city. Plans for the Pilgrim Housing Project are also at an advanced stage.” He added that plans for Dakota were also in the pipeline.
Destitute families have been accommodated at local churches and offices. The municipality has provided families with food hampers, blankets and mattresses. Other government departments and NGOs have also been mobilised to assist people with lost documents and food.
The municipality will also provide affected residents with building material in order to rebuild their homes.
https://youtu.be/6-KiPJuo8C8
