Fire engulfs 50 shacks in Marathon informal settlement
At least 200 people have been left homeless after the fire.
At least 200 people have been left destitute, without even a roof over their heads, after a fire tore through 50 shacks in the Marathon informal settlement on Tuesday evening.
The fire razed the shacks to the ground.
It is believed the fire started from the braai of a woman, who was braaing chicken feet, to sell.
“The wind was incredibly strong and it is alleged the braai fire got out of hand and spread quickly,” said Barbara Jensen, the manager of the Germiston branch of the South African Red Cross Society.
Members of Germiston Red Cross were on scene on Tuesday evening, after the fire had been extinguished, to assess the situation and establish the magnitude of the incident for disaster relief efforts.
They were back in the settlement early on Wednesday morning to start registering affected residents so they could assist them with blankets and food parcels.
“The team has been working hard, making sure all affected residents are assisted,” Jensen said.
Representatives from Ekurhuleni Disaster Management were also on scene on Wednesday to assess the damage and to offer relief to affected people.
If you want to assist with the disaster relief efforts, the Germiston Red Cross is in need of donations of mielie meal, non-perishable food items and blankets.
Donations can be dropped off at the organisation’s offices, situated at the corner of Driehoek Road and Campbell Street in Driehoek.
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