Gift of the Givers responded by helping people in Masifumelele who were affected by the fire.
- More than 1,800 people have lost their homes in a fire in Cape Town.
- A fire broke out in Masifumelele on Monday morning.
- The community suffered a deadly fire just three weeks ago that killed 400 people.
More than 1,800 people have been displaced by a fire in Masifumelele on Monday.
The latest fire, which destroyed around 375 buildings, comes just three weeks after the last one on Sunday October 30 left more than 400 people homeless and one dead.
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jermaine Carells said 70 firefighters were dispatched to tackle the fire in the wetland just after 09:30 on Monday.
“When crews responded, they found several informal structures on fire, but SAPS and law enforcement were called when members of the community tried to interfere with firefighters,” he said.
READ | Food, school clothes: Here’s how you can help News24 help the people of Masifumelele
There have also been reports of looting in the area, Karels added.
The city’s disaster management officer, Sonica Lategan, said there were no injuries in Monday’s fire in the Z-Section:
However, the SPCA is helping six dogs who suffered burns.
Lategan said city infrastructure was damaged, including electrical overhead lines, water faucets and toilets.
“Various city departments are on site, including power, solid waste management, water and sewer. Law enforcement and traffic services are also on site.”
Gift of Givers operations manager Ali Sablai said the aid group was providing humanitarian aid to the victims.
He added that school children were among the victims, and that many families reported losing money they had saved for Christmas.
More than 1,800 people were displaced by a fire in Masifumelele on Monday.
“The situation is terrible. One woman was very excited when she found a pair of takkas among the rubble, only slightly charred. This is all she has,” Sablay said.
“We are on site and preparing to distribute toiletries and baby kits. We will provide hot meals for the next five days, as well as mattresses and stationery, so that schoolchildren can write exams.”
