Cape Town - The Gift of the Givers Foundation disaster response NGO has been on the ground after a devastating fire displaced hundreds of people.
More than 158 shacks in Dunoon were razed on Saturday at around 5am.
City Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said due to the extent of the incident, a total of 14 firefighting resources were on scene, with more than 50 staff battling the blaze.
“At around 9.45am the fire was contained and crews had to contend with some members of the community who interfered with their duties.
“A man sustained burn wounds and was treated and transported to a nearby medical facility,” he said.
“At this stage the cause of the fire is still unknown.”
On Sunday morning, Thembeni informal settlement residents were rebuilding their homes.
A resident, Limise Mboxela, 44, said: “We were woken up by someone who shouted that there was a fire. We thought that the firefighters would quickly put out the fire.
“We tried to move some of our stuff but everything was destroyed, including Christmas clothes, stationery and food. Some people left for the Eastern Cape and were informed over the phone that they no longer have their homes.
“This is devastating because this is the fourth time that we have experienced such an incident.
“I work at a restaurant and my husband is unemployed, and also, the municipality isn’t handing out building material anymore; it is going to take time for us to rebuild.”
She said she wished the government could provide them with proper houses.
“That is the only solution to the fire incidents, I have been living here for more than 23 years and am still in a shack. We are pleading with the government to provide us with houses.”
Gift of the Givers operations manager Ali Sablay said they received calls at around 6am from community leaders.
“Our teams contacted the fire department and the disaster management teams who then informed us it was a mega fire and that we should go and make assessments.
“When we got to the ground, the fire department team was still battling with the blaze. There were many explosions because of all the cooking.
“The people in the informal settlement saved money throughout the year, and got the stokvel hamper which they use to feed their families during the festive season. It was so unfortunate to see that all of their hampers burnt out.
“We calmed the shocked people and provided them with hot meals, and from this morning we will be handing out blankets, mattresses, baby care packs and toiletries.
“No family or children will go hungry this festive season, and in January we will provide the children with school uniforms. We are engaging with the Social Development Department and Sassa to assist the families further.”
Disaster Management’s Sonica Lategan said they established a Joint Operations Centre on site, to coordinate its response to the fire.
“[Initial] Assessments conducted by Disaster Risk Management officials indicated that 185 structures have been destroyed, leaving 570 people displaced.
“As of last night, 17 December, further assessments and registration of affected people indicated that 258 informal structures had been destroyed in the fire.
“Seven formal housing structures had been damaged, with 702 people being affected. Disaster risk management officials will continue with assessments and registrations today.
“Some of the affected persons are staying with friends or relatives, while others will be accommodated at emergency shelters.”