Sunday, September 30, 2007

Thousands left homeless after Cape shack fire

More than 2,000 people have been displaced by a fire that gutted some 300 shacks at the Wag 'n Biejie informal settlement at Lwandle in the Strand, near Cape Town.

Residents say the fire could have been caused by a candle that fell over in one of the shacks this morning.

Fire-fighters at the scene have managed to extinguish the flames, but smoke can still be seen rising from the destroyed homes.

There have been no reports of deaths or injuries at this stage.

Council authorities say fires are a constant danger to the area, particularly because it is situated under Eskom power lines. Ward councillor for the area, Xolani Sotashe, says a number of pylons have caught fire. - SABC

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