Hundreds displaced as wind fans fires

Firefighters and responders worked full-time during weekend

GALE force winds fanned several fires that left hundreds destitute. At 12.20am yesterday firefighters responded to a shack fire in Jim se Bos informal settlement in Philippi, Cape Town Fire and Rescue spokesperson, Theo Layne said.

“Four fire engines and two water tankers with more than 20 firefighters responded to the incident. On arrival firefighters were intimidated by residents and had to request an escort from police and law enforcement officials.

“The fire was extinguished early on Sunday, with 15 structures destroyed, and about 50 people displaced. There were no injuries reported,” Layne said.

In Chicago, Paarl East, 270 people were left destitute after a fire broke out early yesterday morning.

“Out of the 270 people, 83 were children under the age of 10. Fourteen housing units, located at Grysbok Flats, as well as 42 informal structures in the Chicago neighbourhood, were destroyed. Another three housing units in Grysbok Flats were damaged,” spokesperson for Drakenstein Municipality Riana Geldenhuys said.

She said the fire was being investigated and Waste Management Department had started a clean-up operation.

“We will assist those who were left homeless by the fire with rudimentary housing units or starter kits.

“The municipality wishes to thank all organisations, businesses and individuals who have already contributed and assisted in bringing relief to those affected,” she

ON ARRIVAL FIREFIGHTERS WERE INTIMIDATED BY RESIDENTS AND HAD TO REQUEST AN ESCORT FROM POLICE AND OFFICERS

said.

She said members of the public and organisations were encouraged to donate different sizes of nappies, milk formula, sanitary ware, clothes and food to the Drakenstein Fire Department, Berg River Boulevard, Paarl.

After battling a vegetation fire fanned by strong winds, on the slopes of Signal Hill, firefighters managed to put it out.

Working on Fire spokesperson, Lauren Howard, said 87 firefighters from various firefighting organisations, including Working on Fire, CapeNature and Cape Winelands District Municipality were deployed to try to contain the fire which started on Saturday.

PICTURE: ARMAND HOUGH/ANA ABLAZE: The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services rushed to Signal Hill on Saturday where a vegetation fire broke out over a large area. Six fire engines and three water tankers with more than 40 firefighters were at the scene.