When three dwellings in the Flamingo informal settlement near Lansdowne were burned to the ground on Sunday 23 January it was all hands on deck by two departments of the City of Cape Town.
Jermaine Carelse, the spokesperson for the City’s fire and rescue service, says the emergency call was received at 11:05.
“Crews from Ottery and Wynberg were on scene with two fire engines and one water tanker.
“The fire was extinguished by 11:50. No injuries were reported and the cause is unknown,” he says.
Malusi Booi, the Mayco member for human settlements, says City teams are dedicated to providing relief to fire-affected residents within what is possible.
“Every instance of fire is assessed and a specific approach is developed as all instances will have unique circumstances. The City enables and facilitates soft relief, such as donations as well as much work on site clearing and the reinstatement of services, verification and assessments for assistance,” he says.
Booi also says his department is looking forward to working with all stakeholders to enhance the emergency response in a feasible and well-defined manner.
“We call on the national government to avail funds to help with the growing need of emergency response outside of a declared disaster,” he says.
Charlote Powell, the spokesperson for the City’s disaster risk management, confirmed three structures were destroyed affecting three adult males.
The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) provided humanitarian assistance.
“When the news about the fire in Flamingo broke, I immediately posted it on social media and asked for assistance. Clothing received from various sources was dropped off at my office at Lansdowne Civic Centre and good Samaritans contributed to building structures,” says Mark Kleinschmidt, Ward 60 councillor, in which the Flamingo Informal Settlement falls.
Carelse asked residents to check the tips on fire prevention which can be found here: https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family and home/safety-in-the-home/basic-household-safety/fire-safety.
