Residents left homeless after fire guts 250 shacks near Olievenhoutbosch
The emergency services responded to the scene, but the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Two hundred and fifty people lost their homes and personal belongings after 250 shacks were destroyed by fire in the Mahlangu informal settlement in the Olievenhoutbosch area, near Centurion in the early hours of Sunday, September 8.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to a fire incident involving 250 shacks on the day.
According to the EMS acting spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni, about seven patients had some injuries due to minor burns or smoke inhalations and were transported to a medical facility.
He said the fire was extinguished at about 04:50.
“Emergency services responded to the scene after 01:41 and arrived on the scene to find multiple shacks on fire, and immediately started with firefighting operations.”
The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.
Mabaso said that the emergency services will intensify public awareness campaigns at this informal settlement as part of continuous education to the community on fire safety and disaster risk reduction.
Mabaso urged people to contact the emergency services at 107 or 112 for toll-free ambulance services.
The deputy chairperson of the Olievenhoutbosch CPF Ruth Senoamadi said the affected residents were taken to the Olievenhoutbosch SAPS so they can arrange for a place to sleep.
“We are engaging with a few churches and we hope we will get a place that will accommodate the affected residents.”
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