Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Dozens of shacks destroyed by fire

An estimated 150 shacks have burnt down in the Q section of Khayelitsha on the Cape Flats on Tuesday, the Cape Town Disaster Risk Management Centre said.

"About 600 people have been displaced after the fire at Q section on Lansdowne Road," centre spokesperson Wilfred Solomons-Johannes told reporters.

"Around 15 fire engines from across the city were called to attend to the fire and it has been brought under control. We estimate we'll be here another hour and a half," he said at around 11pm.

The fire apparently started at around 7pm on Tuesday but the cause was not yet known. No deaths or injuries had been reported.

Solomons-Johannes said displaced shack-dwellers had been moved to Site B community hall in Khayelitsha and were being assisted with clothes, hot meals and blankets.

He said building materials would be brought in on Wednesday so that people could start rebuilding their homes.

"We will first register and verify the beneficiaries," he said.

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