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One dead, eighty shacks destroyed by fire

By Staff Writer 1 Sep 2018 1 Min Read Save

Last updated: 1 Sep 2018, 14:28

Cape Town 12 February 2011: In the early hours of the morning a fire sweept through the Imizamo-Yethu informal settlement in Cape Town. At least 150 shacks were destroyed, leaving over 900 homeless. Residents attempt to slow down the fire by throwing rocks at burning structures, causing them to collapse, whilst others dismantle nearby shacks using hammers, crowbars, and pangas to slow down the flames. Among the broken boards and shattered glass only the charred fragments of the ordinary life of the residents of Imizamo-Yethu remain. Shack Fires. Destruction and loss in the midst of the South African housing crisis. Picture: Gareth Smit

One person has died and three others were injured during a fire that broke out in Clay Oven informal settlement along Witkoppen Road, north of Johannesburg, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi says three people suffered smoke inhalation and that at least two hundred people have been displaced by the fire.

“About eighty shacks were destroyed by the fire incident. Unfortunately, there was one male patient who was confirmed dead on the scene. It looks like he suffered smoke inhalation. We just want to urge all our residents throughout the city to continue to look after any heating devices that may cause fire incidents at home. We have activated our disaster management officials. They are facilitating relief for the affected displaced residents,” adds Mulaudzi.

Community Johannesburg Johannesburg Emergency Services Robert Mulaudzi Shack fire