Relief efforts continue for families affected by fire in Alex’s Setswetla Informal Settlement
ALEX – The MMC for Public Safety says that the City of Joburg's Emergency Management Services and Disaster Management have established that over 100 households and close to 300 people, including children.
Since yesterday, 5 March, the City of Johannesburg has set up relief facilities to the families affected by the disastrous this fire in Setswetla Informal Settlement.
This is according to a statement issued by the MMC for Public Safety, in the City of Joburg, Michael Sun.
Sun explained that an emergency call was received at 1.28pm yesterday by the City’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) reporting a fire at Setswetla Informal Settlement in Alexandra. “Within 10 minutes, the first fire engine arrived on the scene followed by four more fire engines. Over 30 firefighters and other Disaster Management officials were on the scene to extinguish the fire and assist those affected,” explained Sun.
“EMS and Disaster Management have established that over 100 households and close to 300 people, including children, were affected by the fire. A 26-year-old man and a fire fighter were injured during the fire incident and both were taken to hospital for medical attention.”
Yesterday, City Power issued a statement saying, “City Power has just learnt of a dangerous situation in Alexandra where 88kv high voltage pylon collapsed on top of shacks in Setjwetla informal settlement. In the same incident a number of shacks have been engulfed by fire.”
Today, Sun said, “Whilst there are reports that the fallen electricity pylon may have caused the fire, the cause of the fire is still being investigated. A Venue Operation Centre (VOC) has been established on site for response and relief coordination.”
Sun further stated that blankets, disaster relief packs, hygiene packs and warm meals had been provided with the assistance by various non-governmental organisations and the Department of Social Development.
“Temporary emergency shelters have been identified at disaster relief containers, Hlaisanani ECD and the Setswetla community hall, where the affected families have been placed and are receiving relief assistance,” said Sun.
“I am deeply saddened by the damage that this fire has caused the families affected. I want to ensure residents that the City is doing all it can to make sure those affected are amply assisted.
“We are committed to the safety of all residents of Johannesburg and that will always remain our top priority.”
Read the Alex News‘ full report on the fire yesterday here:
More than 50 shacks destroyed after live high-voltage pylon collapses in Alex
