Fire guts 15 shacks in Alexandra
A devastating fire consumed 15 informal dwellings along London Road on September 17, leaving many homeless.
A devastating fire broke out at an informal settlement destroying 15 dwellings on 6th Avenue, London Road in the early hours of the morning on September 17.
City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said they received the emergency call at 10:45 and arrived swiftly on the scene to combat the blaze that was already well underway.
Read more: Fire rips through shacks in Alexandra
“Upon arrival, our team found multiple shacks fully alight and immediately began the evacuation of residents to ensure their safety while conducting firefighting operations.
“In the process, about 15 shack dwellings were destroyed by the fire which took our firefighters about an hour to extinguish,” Mulaudzi said.
Also read: Veld fire causes widespread power outage in Alexandra
Mulaudzi confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported.
“The cause of the fire incident is still a subject of investigation. However, residents are urged to exercise caution when using any heating devices such as paraffin stoves and should not leave them unattended while in use to prevent fire incidents at home.”
Disaster Management officials have been activated to facilitate relief efforts for those affected. “Our EMS also has a unit dedicated to public education in communities, which aims to ensure that residents are well-informed about life and fire safety.
“We provide training on basic fire safety, first aid, and disaster preparedness so that residents can effectively handle emergencies when they arise.”
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: Watch: Call the fire brigade, there’s a lion stuck in a tree!
