More than 50 shacks destroyed after live high-voltage pylon collapses in Alex

The City of Joburg has estimated that between 50 to 80 shacks in the Setswetla Informal Settlement in Alexandra were destroyed this afternoon, 5 March, after a live high-voltage pylon collapsed.

One person, a 26-year-old man, was seriously injured, the City said in a statement, and has been transported to hospital for medical attention.

The City’s statement further said that since the arrival of the City’s Emergency Management Services on the scene of the fire earlier this afternoon, the blaze had been extinguished.

“Over 30 fire fighters are still on site, and are damping down the affected area,” read the statement.

“The City is urgently looking at securing temporary accommodation.” The housing department is said to also be on the scene.

“Disaster Management continues to assess the damage caused and relief operation planning is underway between the City’s Disaster Management and Social Development departments. NGOs [non-governmental organisations], including Gift of the Givers, Marlboro Indian Community, Alim Al-Imdaad, Ashraf Uloom, and S.M.J, have confirmed that they will assist with relief distribution.”

The City said its deepest sympathy goes to the families affected by this sudden and devastating fire.

“The City is focusing its efforts, across multiple departments, to ensure that we assist the residents affected by today’s fire.”

At around 3pm this afternoon, 5 March, City Power said its technicians were on the way to the scene.

In a statement issued by City Power, the power entity said it was not known at present what had caused the 88kv pylon to fall. “The line is carrying a live high voltage electricity and can electrocute a person if one comes into contact with it,” read City Power’s statement.

The power entity further warned that there were a number of areas that were affected by the power loss as a result of this incident. These areas include:

• Greenstone Park
• Thornhill Estate
• Greenstone Shopping Centre
• Longmeadow Ext 2, 7, 10, 17 & 19

“City Power will keep customers updated as and when new information becomes available.”

A massive storm is also threatening in the area. Read more here: Huge hailstorm and severe flooding hits areas of Joburg

The MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, is on the scene of the fire and reported in a Facebook live video. Watch it here:

Meanwhile, firefighters are battling to put out the blaze. Residents are desperately trying to save their belongings.

Initially, our journalist on the scene spoke to community leader, Oriel Maswangwanyi, who had said the fire was allegedly caused by a stove that was left unattended in one of the shacks, however, it was soon clarified by the Sun in a tweet that the fire broke out after a power line tower collapsed in Setswela, Alexandra.

Roads leading to Marlboro Gardens and surrounding areas are currently closed and motorists are advised to use alternative routes.

More updates will follow as this is a developing story.

In December, a fire ripped through shacks on London Road and 18th Avenue in Alexandra, causing massive destruction. Read more here.