Fire fighters battled for hours last night to put out a fire in Khayelitsha where hundreds were left homeless after their shacks were burnt down. The homeless are temporarily being accommodated at a local community hall.
Eighty fire fighters had their hands full when a fire swept thought Khayelitsha. It was a mad scramble with people desperately trying to salvage their belongings. Close to 100 shacks were razed to the ground. More than 10 fire trucks called in to assist.
Residents say they also have to deal with thieves who are trying to steal their possessions. Some say they suspect a person smoking dagga was the one responsible for starting the fire. There were no reported deaths and the cause of the blaze is not yet known.
Strong south easterly winds are blowing in the Cape, placing emergency services on high alert. People are being housed at the local community centre where food and blankets are being distributed.
Following the blaze, residents of Q section in Khayelitsha on the Cape Flats have called on the government to relocate them to another area and build them houses. Reports say about 600 people were left destitute following a fire that gutted about 150 shacks last night. A Disaster Management spokesperson says no injuries or fatalities were reported.
[Story from SABCnews.co.za]