[ad_1]
With just a week until Christmas, residents are searching what’s left of their homes to try to salvage what’s left of their belongings.
File Image: The fire tore through the community on Thursday. Image supplied.
CAPE TOWN – Hundreds of people have been left homeless after a fire in Masiphumelele.
The blaze swept through the community Thursday, burning about 1,000 homes to the ground.
Jermaine Carelse of the Fire and Rescue Services said no one has been injured: “The fire was extinguished around 1 am this morning and crews continue to monitor the area.”
PHOTOS: A massive fire has occurred in Masiphumelele near Ocean View. The strong winds are adding fuel to the flames. The cause of the fire is still unknown. https://t.co/5rbP5kwlxd
– Cape {Town}, etc. (@CapeTownEtc) December 17, 2020
The National Department of Human Settlements has drastically reduced funding for housing in all provinces due to the weak financial situation of the government. The city continues to ask that conditional grants not be cut and that other solutions be found, Council Member Booi said.
Cape Town (@CityofCT) December 17, 2020
Donate essential items such as blankets, baby food, diapers, infant formula and non-perishable food to the Living Hope organization in Masiphumelele. Contact Living Hope, who is coordinating relief efforts: 082 465 9067 https://t.co/3WSRGoSAwS
– CapeTalk at 567AM (@CapeTalk) December 17, 2020
With just a week until Christmas, residents are searching what’s left of their homes to try to salvage what’s left of their belongings.
Officials are asking members of the public to donate essential items, which can be dropped off at the Living Hope Organization in Masiphumelele.
@alanwinde @WesternCapeGov @Our_DA @vwsfires @cptfrs Thousands homeless due to massive fire in # We will be successful, send help and resources. # Let’s be successful pic.twitter.com/y2Ui7Yi9SB
– Teboho (@ azbeto747) December 17, 2020
Speaking at CapeTalk on Friday morning, Carelse said a fire that broke out in Camps Bay had also been contained.
“It is now a sunny morning in Camps Bay, there is a light breeze and the fire has been contained. We are looking to have a new team just after 9am this morning and they will be working around the clock until maybe tomorrow morning to properly extinguish and ensure there are no outbreaks. “
There were no injuries in Camps Bay either.
Meanwhile, local pastor John Thomas has been in the area offering help in any way he can: “It’s like a scene from Armageddon; an absolute tragedy … and what a cruel way to end the year. “
Ward Councilor Felicity Purchasing said cleanup operations and assessments are underway: “Yesterday our focus was trying to put out the fire and try to prevent it from spreading, but unfortunately the wind got worse. But today we were able to do a serious assessment of the possible cause and extent of the damage. “
Purchase said they would declare a local disaster.
“Social development refused to allow us to issue starter kits in the future and said that they will only do so in terms of the Disaster Management Law. Therefore, we are going to declare a disaster for this because there are enough households involved to justify that type”. intervention “.
Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.
[ad_2]
