UPDATE: 14 shacks burn down at Kya Sands
KYASANDS – A fire took place in the early hours of 18 November leaving 14 families without a home.
UPDATE: 22 November 2016, 10:30am
About 14 families were left destitute after their homes burnt down due to a fire at Pipeline informal settlement in Kya Sands on 18 November.
EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said, “We got a call in the early hours of the morning of 18 November and we immediately extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is still unknown.”
Mulaudzi added that it was alleged that the fire might have been caused by a candle or a stove but they are still unsure. “Disaster management was also at the scene to assist the families affected by the fire with blankets and canned food.
“We advise community members to be cautious when using lighting appliances which require the use of fire and to never leave young children unattended at homes which have such lighting appliances.”
He urged families to buy safe paraffin stoves which can be bought at supermarkets.
Chairperson of the Douglasdale Community Policing Forum (CPF) Jean Berdou said, “The CPF would like to remind the community members of the informal settlements to be careful when using heating or lighting which require open flames, as tragic accidents caused by such fires led to disastrous consequences.”
Berdou added that there are safety tips regarding heating and lighting available from emergency services which can help curb accidental fires. These safety tips include placing a candle in a large glass jar with sand at the bottom. Cooking with fires is best done outside, he advised.
Berdou added that community members living in informal settlements need to remember that most household materials ignite easily and great precaution needs to be taken in order to prevent such fires. “We wish our community a safe and prosperous festive season and being safe starts with you at home.”
Initial Report: 21 November 2016, 7.30am
About 14 shacks burnt down at the Pipeline Informal Settlement in Kya Sands after a fire broke out at around 1am on 18 November, leaving 14 families destitute.
Head of communications at Douglasdale Police Station, Captain Mpho Kgaosane said, “The fire happened in the early hours of the morning and the cause of the fire is unknown at the moment. Fire emergency services arrived on the scene and [doused] the flames. No one has been reported injured or dead,” he advised
Kgaosane urged members of the community not to leave any fire (including candles) unattended as this would result in fires which endanger innocent lives.
Details: Douglasdale Police Station 011 699 1308.
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