A fire that gutted Die Gatjie community in Diep River claimed two lives and displaced 64 people yesterday.
According to the City’s mayoral committee member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith, the Fire & Rescue team received the call early Saturday morning and around 40 firefighters from Constantia, Wynberg, Lakeside, Ottery, even Mitchelsplein and Roeland Street, were dispatched.
“Three water jets and one fog jet were put to use as teams worked fervently to extinguish the inferno. A total of 15 structures were destroyed and 64 persons displaced. Sadly an adult male and female perished in the flames,” he said.
He said disaster Risk Management was on scene to consider relief efforts and assist families with immediate requirements. Requests for assistance have already been communicated to the Provincial Government’s Human Settlements department.
He urged residents to exercise caution this winter. “With the winter cold now settling in, many persons turn to open flame fires for warmth. With an increase of residential and informal settlement fires increasing at a rate of around 10% each year, we implore all residents to exercise extreme caution this winter. Never leave an open flame unattended and always ensure any fires are made away from surrounding materials that could easily ignite,” he said.
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Picture: JP Smith (Facebook)