Cape Town – Matrics writing their final exams were among the hundreds of people who lost everything in a fire that ripped through Masiphumelele on Monday.
Around 70 firefighters worked to contain and extinguish the blaze in the wetland area of Masiphumelele.
The City’s disaster team said that at about 9.40am, firefighters stationed at Kommetjie Road saw smoke emitting from the area.
When crews responded, they found several informal structures alight.
Humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers, visited the area on Monday while residents were still trying to salvage what they could.
Hundreds of structures had burnt down.
Project manager at Gift of the Givers, Ali Sablay, said they were assisting with urgent humanitarian needs, including hot meals, water, hygiene packs, blankets and mattresses.
“Speaking to community members here, some of them had just saved up for their Christmas shopping – all that's completely burnt out. There are some matriculants residing in this Z Section whose books have completely burnt out.
“Some of them were busy writing and when they came home, they saw the smoke. They were praying that it wasn’t one of their structures. But unfortunately there’s hundreds of structures that burnt out,” Sablay said.
The City said SAPS and law enforcement had to be called in after some members of the community tried to interfere with the work of the firefighters.
“When the fire spread to the wetlands area, additional resources were requested. At present, 15 fire-fighting appliances and about 70 staff are battling to contain the blaze which is spreading in the direction of Lake Michelle. There have also been reports of looting in the area,” the City said.
Cape Times