The body of one person was recovered early on Monday after a fire swept through Masiphumelele in Cape Town.
“The blaze destroyed 100 dwellings with an estimated 430 [people] affected,” said the city's disaster risk management spokesperson Charlotte Powell.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at 2.45am.
“Kommetjie Road fire station crew were first on the scene and confirmed many informal structures burning, fanned by a strong south-easterly wind, and called for more resources to help bring the blaze under control,” said the city’s fire and rescue service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse.
He said 18 firefighting appliances and about 70 firefighters from fire stations attended the scene.
The fire was brought under control just before 5am and extinguished by 8.20am.
“At this stage, one body was discovered with fatal burn wounds,” said Carelse.
“The South African Social Security Agency, Gift of the Givers and Living Hope will provide humanitarian assistance,” said Powell.
“The department of home affairs will assist with the issuing of temporary IDs for matrics to write exams.”
City services were on site assessing the damage.
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Body recovered after fire sweeps through Masiphumelele in Cape Town
Image: 123RF/yelantsev
The body of one person was recovered early on Monday after a fire swept through Masiphumelele in Cape Town.
“The blaze destroyed 100 dwellings with an estimated 430 [people] affected,” said the city's disaster risk management spokesperson Charlotte Powell.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at 2.45am.
“Kommetjie Road fire station crew were first on the scene and confirmed many informal structures burning, fanned by a strong south-easterly wind, and called for more resources to help bring the blaze under control,” said the city’s fire and rescue service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse.
He said 18 firefighting appliances and about 70 firefighters from fire stations attended the scene.
The fire was brought under control just before 5am and extinguished by 8.20am.
“At this stage, one body was discovered with fatal burn wounds,” said Carelse.
“The South African Social Security Agency, Gift of the Givers and Living Hope will provide humanitarian assistance,” said Powell.
“The department of home affairs will assist with the issuing of temporary IDs for matrics to write exams.”
City services were on site assessing the damage.
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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