About 320 displaced in Cape Town fires

18 December 2012 - 09:57 By Sapa
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About 320 people were displaced after 80 shacks were destroyed in two different fires in Cape Town, the city's fire and rescue services said.

Spokesman Theo Lane said the first started in Section 6, California informal settlement at 7pm on Monday night.

"About 60 shacks burnt down and 200 people were displaced. No injuries were reported," he said.

"The fire was caused by a cooking stove left unattended. It overheated and ignited personal effects and then spread to other shacks."

Lane said the second fire started at 12.15am on Tuesday morning in 8th Avenue informal settlement.

About 20 shacks were burnt down and 120 people were left displaced.

"No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is unknown at this stage," said Lane.

Both fires were extinguished, he added.

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