By Mashamba Media
news@alexreporter.co.za
Three people burnt to death while scores of informal settlement dwellers where left destitute when raging fires burnt down the informal settlements in Woodlands in Pretoria East on 23 September 2023 and in Sportspark in Lyttleton on 24 September 2023.
The Tshwane Emergency Services Department was informed a grass fire incident at Cemetery View informal Settlement in Woodlands at approximately 20:19 on 23 September 2023.
Spokesperson for Tshwane Emergency Services Department, Thabo Charles Mabaso said the firefighting resource that was displaced to the incident was met by huge flames of fire that were raging through the informal settlement and immediately called for back up.
He said additional resources were activated, and the blaze was fought until the early ours of 24 September 2023 when the blaze was extinguished.
Mabaso said firefighters unfortunately discovered burnt and charred bodies of two male and female adults (aged 38 and 35) and an eight-year-old girl during mop up and cooling operations
“It was determined that approximately 300 shacks were destroyed by the fire and more than 2000 dwellers of the settlement were displaced by the fire.
“The Tshwane Emergency Services Department activated the Human Settlement, Community and Social Development and multiple non-governmental organisations for social relief to the affected.
“The fire at an informal settlement in Sportspark, Lyttleton was reported to the Tshwane Emergency Services Department at approximately 23:59 on 24 September 2023.
“Firefighters arrived on the scene to find multiple shacks on fire and immediately started with firefighting operations. It was determined after the blaze was extinguished that about 50 shacks burnt down and about 150 dwellers were displaced,” said Mabaso.
He said Disaster Risk Management officials issued blankets to the affected and continue to coordinate social relief measure in conjunction with relevant government departments.
“The cause of both fire incidents is still under investigation,” he said.
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