More than 250 people have been left homeless after a fire ravaged 45 shacks at the Plastic View informal settlement, east of Pretoria.
According to the spokesperson of the Tshwane Emergency Services, Charles Mabaso, their officers arrived on the scene after 4pm and found multiple shacks on fire, they immediately started firefighting operations to prevent the spread of the fire.
“One patient was treated and transported for smoke inhalation and moderate injuries. Three were treated for minor injuries on the scene but refused transport to a medical facility. Two-hundred and fifty people lost shelter and personal belongings because of the fire,” said Mabaso.
Mabaso added that the fire was contained and subsequently extinguished. The emergency services urged residents to be cautious when using fire and heating devices.
It said it will soon intensify public awareness campaigns at the informal settlement as part of continuous education to the communities on fire safety and disaster risk education.
“The department calls on residents to use paraffin stoves with extreme caution, never leave open fires without adult supervision or unattended, never to overload electrical plugs with appliances.
“Illegal connections of electricity are a fire hazard, which residents should always be aware that it might lead to emergency incidents,” advised Mabaso.
Relevant city departments are coordinating relief efforts for the affected residents. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
