Three people die in separate shack blazes
THREE people were confirmed dead in separate shack fires across Cape Town in the early hours of yesterday.
City Fire and Rescue spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said they were notified after midnight of informal structures alight in Scottsdene, Kraaifontein. He said four fire engines, two water tankers, a rescue vehicle and 26 staff members were dispatched.
“On arrival of the first appliance, the officer in charge made an assessment and stood down four responding vehicles. The fire was contained and extinguished after 1am.”
Carelse said one adult male sustained fatal burn wounds. No other injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was unknown.
Another fire occurred in Kosovo informal settlement in Philippi, where Fire and Rescue services responded with three fire engines, two water tankers, a rescue vehicle and 21 staff members.
“The fire was extinguished just after 2am. One male minor sustained fatal burn wounds. No other injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was unknown,” Carelse said.
Later, at 3.45am, the service responded again to Kosovo, where numerous informal structures were alight. Carelse said three fire engines, two water tankers, a rescue vehicle and 21 staff members were dispatched.
“The first arriving officer on scene requested two additional fire engines and a water tanker, which then increased the staff complement to 35. One adult male sustained fatal burn wounds. No other injuries were reported and the cause of the fire was unknown.”