FOLLOWING the Boxing Day fire that gutted a Thompson Road slum house, the Bluff Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) has said it would embark on an investigation into the hijacking and dereliction of properties in its community.

Also read: House fire leaves 29 people homeless on Boxing Day

Norman Gilbert, chairperson of the BRRA, released a statement emphasising the urgency of addressing the problem:

“The recent increase in hijackings and slum houses on The Bluff  poses a significant threat to public safety, contributes to social decay and negatively impacts the overall quality of life for residents,” he said.

The initiative comes as there have been a growing number of concerns over the number of unregulated dwellings in the area. Ward 66 Councillor Zoë Solomon said that these types of houses have long been a point of dispute within the community.

The Thompson Road fire left 29 people homeless, including seven children. While immediate relief efforts provided temporary support to the affected families, Gilbert noted that systemic solutions were required to deal with the problem.

“To address this pressing matter, the BRRA will be conducting a thorough investigation into the legal frameworks governing these properties and their owners. Our objective is to identify best practices and develop effective strategies for mitigating the adverse effects of these properties on our community,” he said.

The BRRA said they would provide updates and guidance once viable solutions were established.

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