Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Factory saved, but fire guts shacks in Cape

Thirty-two people have lost their homes in a blaze in the Du Noon informal settlement that firefighters brought under control before it could spread to an adjacent chemical factory.

Eight shacks were gutted by the fire early on Monday, said city Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes.

Four fire engines battled the flames and prevented it from spreading to Protea Chemicals, next door in Killarney Gardens, Solomons-Johannes said.

"They managed to avert that disaster."

No one was injured.

Solomons-Johannes said the cause of the blaze was being investigated.

Du Noon councillor Hlumile Stemela said: "(People) suspect a gas stove was left on and the owner closed up the shack and went out."

Stemela said those affected would stay with friends and relatives until they were able to rebuild their homes. - Cape Times

No comments: