Following a devastating fire that tore through Site 5 in Dunoon, Cape Town, on Monday, over 500 individuals found themselves displaced. The blaze left a trail of destruction, damaging 120 structures in its wake.
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According to Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the Western Cape’s Disaster Risk Management Centre, emergency services received a distress call at 4:40pm reporting structures ablaze near Potsdam Road.
Despite the valiant efforts of 70 firefighters who swiftly responded, they encountered challenges, such as a sudden shift in wind direction, before successfully extinguishing the flames by 10:35pm. Regrettably, one firefighter sustained injuries during the operation and received immediate medical attention at the scene.
Powell said, ‘No injuries or deaths were reported in the affected community. There was infrastructural damage to 10 electrical poles, a water pipe and mobile toilet.’
The humanitarian aid partners of the City of Cape Town, namely Gift of the Givers, Islamic Relief, and The Warehouse, are providing support with provisions such as food, blankets, clothing and toiletry kits.
Eskom staff are present, and efforts by the water and sanitation departments, as well as the solid waste department, are underway to repair and tidy up the affected area.
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Picture: @FRI_magazine