Fatal fire is ‘wake-up call’
The unfortunate inhabitants were dangerously exposed to the outbreak of fire
A DILAPIDATED Bluff building which has been the source of much contention over the years burnt down, killing a man on Tuesday, 16 June and raised concerns about the safety of residents, especially in Fynnlands.
In the early hours of Youth Day, the building on Bluff Road which housed 21 people, burnt to the ground. Brighton Beach SAPS are investigating and so far believe a candle was the cause of the blaze. A 23-year-old man was found burnt to death in one of the rooms. Police are awaiting DNA analysis to confirm his identity.
Ward 66 councillor, Duncan Du Bois and Bluff Alliance co-ordinator, Ivor Aylward believe this fire should serve as a wake-up call to municipal authorities and landlords. The Sun has visited the site on numerous occasions with Aylward, as he called for action from the municipality and the landlord. The building was run-down and housed people in cramped conditions with very little amenities .
“For the past five years we have endeavoured to get Metro Health and fire officials to condemn this particular building and the one directly behind it. We have also engaged telephonically with the owner – to no avail.
Having personally examined these dwellings, it became obvious that because of their overcrowded circumstances and the use of candles for lighting and paraffin stoves for cooking, the unfortunate inhabitants were dangerously exposed to the outbreak of fire,” said Du Bois.
Du Bois, Aylward and municipal officials met with the landlord on Monday, 25 May and he vowed to commence with operations to close down the buildings by 29 May. “To date we have not heard anything further,” said Du Bois.
“Action needs to be taken against landlords who own slum buildings, which not only pose a risk to the inhabitants, but to the surrounding community,” said Aylward.
He said drugs and prostitution is rampant among these areas in Fynnlands and property values are dropping drastically. “The loss of a young man’s life is terrible and people need to look into these unsafe living environments,” he added.
“The presence of derelict, slum-like properties in the lower Fynnland area is discouraging investment and attracting elements of crime. This is to the detriment of the wider community, which is progressively becoming hostage to the indifferent attitude of landlords. It is also detrimental to the metro’s rates base,” said Du Bois.
