Firemen prevent greater disaster
Three shacks with seven rooms in Siluma Street, Wesselton were destroyed in a fire on Friday.
ERMELO – Three shacks with seven rooms in Siluma Street, Wesselton were destroyed in a fire on Friday.
Quick reaction and clear thinking by the Ermelo Fire Department ensured that seven shack, two houses and a garage close by were saved from the raging flames.
According to Mr Vusumuzi Mandonsela, who also lost his home in the fire, he saw flames coming out of one of the shacks and realised that there was a toddler inside. With the help of a neighbour, Mr Daniel Sangweni, they broke the door down and brought the child to safety.
This incident, however, could not be confirmed by any officials on the scene.
Mr Sangweni tried to douse the fire with a hosepipe, but to no avail.
When the Fire Department arrived on the scene, they realised that the three shacks were beyond saving and turned their attention to the seven shacks and two houses next to them which they managed to save.
An official on the scene said it is extremely dangerous to build so many shacks so close together.
Officials of Msukaligwa Disaster Management supplied the victims with blankets.
They also offered them a safe haven in the community centre, which they all declined.
The cause of the fire could not be confirmed, although officials from the Fire Department suspect faulty power cables.
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Officials of Msukaligwa Disaster
Management supplied the victims with
blankets. Thats the last thing they’ll do they wont return to the victims to see how they’re surviving or donate corrugated iron for them to start afresh.