Fires in informal settlements claimed two lives and left more than 2,000 people homeless as strong winds signalled the start of the fire season.
Lisa Cupido, 29, died after being severely burnt when fire razed the the Wendy house she shared with two other families in Rusthof, Strand.
A second person, who has not been identified, died in a fire at Vrygrond Square, Kuils River.
Police spokesperson Randall Stoffels said it was thought the fire in which Cupido died had been caused by an overturned candle. It had broken out shortly after 2am.
Later, a fire swept through the Wag-'n-Bietjie informal settlement near the Strand, destroying more than 400 shacks and leaving 1,800 people homeless.
Police from a nearby satellite station were soon on the scene as the fire - fanned by a strong wind - rapidly destroyed everything in its path.
Misumzi Mjekula, 39, said the disaster could have been averted if proposed housing developments in the area, which lay under powerlines and was prone to floods, had been launched and completed.
"We were promised houses, but instead the councillors of this area have been dragging their feet and fighting among themselves," said Mjekula.
The ward councillor for the area, Xolani Sotashe, denied the claims.
"We've agreed people from the area should be moved, and MEC (for Housing Richard Dyantyi) has promised to (secure) funds from the housing emergency plan. Right now we have to get them into temporary houses."
Mjekula, who sits on the area committee, was one of the few who managed to salvage some furniture.
"Although police were here in no time, the fire engines that could have helped us arrived just after 5am," said Mjekula as he guarded his possessions.
While some residents stood guard over their belongings, to prevent theft from looters, other moved to the comfort of two local community halls.
Thobeka Bobini was one who would not move: "I can't go to the (community) hall. I've got four children and until I know what's happening I won't be going anywhere.
"The councillor was here earlier saying he couldn't do anything until given the go-ahead by the mayor (Helen Zille)," said Bobini.
Nosicelo Gqegqe, 29, whose shack was the first to catch on fire, said her boyfriend had awakened her.
"It was hot inside the shack and that is what awakened him, when he opened his eyes he could see the flames.
"We managed to run outside, shouting at the neighbours. I called my brother who lives nearby to wake him," said Nosicelo,
She lost everything, as did most of the people who lost their homes.
The flames also destroyed two overhead cables of a powerline running through the area.
An Eskom engineer at the scene said power to the line had been cut and electricity was being fed from Houwhoek to the Strand area.
On Sunday, the SPCA said three dogs from the area would have to be put down. One had serious burns and two had mange.
Meanwhile, three fire engines battled to control a reed fire in Heathfield, which was eventually contained within an hour. No one was injured and the cause of the fire is being investigated. - Cape Times
Lisa Cupido, 29, died after being severely burnt when fire razed the the Wendy house she shared with two other families in Rusthof, Strand.
A second person, who has not been identified, died in a fire at Vrygrond Square, Kuils River.
Police spokesperson Randall Stoffels said it was thought the fire in which Cupido died had been caused by an overturned candle. It had broken out shortly after 2am.
Later, a fire swept through the Wag-'n-Bietjie informal settlement near the Strand, destroying more than 400 shacks and leaving 1,800 people homeless.
Police from a nearby satellite station were soon on the scene as the fire - fanned by a strong wind - rapidly destroyed everything in its path.
Misumzi Mjekula, 39, said the disaster could have been averted if proposed housing developments in the area, which lay under powerlines and was prone to floods, had been launched and completed.
"We were promised houses, but instead the councillors of this area have been dragging their feet and fighting among themselves," said Mjekula.
The ward councillor for the area, Xolani Sotashe, denied the claims.
"We've agreed people from the area should be moved, and MEC (for Housing Richard Dyantyi) has promised to (secure) funds from the housing emergency plan. Right now we have to get them into temporary houses."
Mjekula, who sits on the area committee, was one of the few who managed to salvage some furniture.
"Although police were here in no time, the fire engines that could have helped us arrived just after 5am," said Mjekula as he guarded his possessions.
While some residents stood guard over their belongings, to prevent theft from looters, other moved to the comfort of two local community halls.
Thobeka Bobini was one who would not move: "I can't go to the (community) hall. I've got four children and until I know what's happening I won't be going anywhere.
"The councillor was here earlier saying he couldn't do anything until given the go-ahead by the mayor (Helen Zille)," said Bobini.
Nosicelo Gqegqe, 29, whose shack was the first to catch on fire, said her boyfriend had awakened her.
"It was hot inside the shack and that is what awakened him, when he opened his eyes he could see the flames.
"We managed to run outside, shouting at the neighbours. I called my brother who lives nearby to wake him," said Nosicelo,
She lost everything, as did most of the people who lost their homes.
The flames also destroyed two overhead cables of a powerline running through the area.
An Eskom engineer at the scene said power to the line had been cut and electricity was being fed from Houwhoek to the Strand area.
On Sunday, the SPCA said three dogs from the area would have to be put down. One had serious burns and two had mange.
Meanwhile, three fire engines battled to control a reed fire in Heathfield, which was eventually contained within an hour. No one was injured and the cause of the fire is being investigated. - Cape Times
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