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WATCH: Blaze engulfs 16 shacks

At least 16 shacks were burnt to the ground, following a blaze in the early hours of May 1.

A severe blaze has left many families devastated and with nothing, except the clothes they were wearing, after a fire broke out on May 1 at Alberton Train Station informal settlement.

The Ekurhuleni DEMS confirmed that 16 shacks were burnt to the ground after the blaze broke out. Present during the tragic ordeal was Alberton SAPS and Ekurhuleni firefighters, who promptly responded upon receiving the call. William Ntladi, the DEMS spokesperson, assured the RECORD that there were no casualties, although the blaze wreaked havoc.

“We received the call at about midnight and responded immediately. We had Alberton Fire Station, backed up by Thokoza Fire Station, with 13 firefighters on the scene. We managed to contain the fire from spreading further. We had several shacks that burnt down,” he said.

Ntladi urged communities to practice vigilance on preventing shack fires during winter. “Most fires are caused by lack of thought, concentration or carelessness, cigarettes, lighters, matches, candles and illegal electrical connections. Overloading of circuits, heating appliances such as paraffin stoves, braziers and equipment such as power generators, liquefied gas appliances can be lethal if not properly monitored,” he said.

Ward 37 councillor Ivan Naidoo at the site.

Community leader Samuel Makhafola told the RECORD the cause of the fire was not yet known. However, some residents at the informal settlement suspected foul play to be the cause of the blaze.

Lefa Tseke, who has been living in the informal settlement for at least 15 years, said he lost all his belongings as the fire scorched everything to the ground. “I was asleep when neighbours woke me, alerting me to get out of my shack as the whole place was alight. They kicked down the door so that I could escape the blaze. We still don’t know how the fire has started,” he said.

Ward 37 councillor Ivan Naidoo said: “I contacted DEMS who came to assess the place to see how we can rebuild the shacks. Tannie A donated some clothes and mealie meal. I have also put a plea out to the community on who can assist with donations of clothes and blankets.”

Residents trying to save what was left after the fierce blaze.

Naidoo said among the residents who were affected was a learner whose books that were completely destroyed.
Should you wish to make any donations, contact councillor Ivan Naidoo on 061 545 3372.

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