Friday, December 11, 2009

Fire displaces 1 000 in Khayelitsha

Fire prevention officers will today try to determine the cause of a Khayelitsha fire, which destroyed 150 shacks, left two people in hospital and displaced more than 1 000.

Firefighters battled the blaze for most of yesterday afternoon in the Khayelitsha Y-section, but their efforts were hampered by strong winds and soaring temperatures. Late yesterday, there was still no indication of what had caused the fire.

"There will definitely be an investigation to find out the cause," an operator at the Fire Control and Command Centre said.

One firefighter and a Khayelitsha man suffered smoke inhalation and were admitted to hospital.

Disaster Management spokesman Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said about 150 shacks were destroyed in the blaze. Officials helped 1 000 displaced people find alternative accommodation in a community hall. They were provided with housing starter kits to rebuild their homes.

NGO Mustadafin Foundation provided the residents with hot meals, blankets and clothing.

Solomons-Johannes said workers would continue clearing the site of debris today.

Also yesterday afternoon, flames swept quickly through the Orange Kloof Reserve near Hout Bay when they were fanned by strong winds.

The cause of that fire and the extent of the damage to the vegetation was unknown.

Fire fighters and seasonal staff worked on the ground to extinguish the blaze as a helicopter dropped water on to the flames. Table Mountain National Park used an additional two 4x4 bush tenders to extinguish the blaze.

- Cape Times

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