Several people have been left displaced and two sustained serious burn wounds following two separate fires at the informal areas in the City Bowl last week.
On Sunday 11 September dozens lost all their belongings and a young boy was rushed to hospital after a fire broke out at the Strand Street Quarry in the Bo Kaap.
On Wednesday 14 September another fire broke out in Cobblestone Road in Zonnebloem.
The area is known as the Strompie.
The Quarry is home to several families who have been occupying the site for many years.
James Dunbar (62) has been living there for about 10 years.
He says he was woken up on Sunday by loud cries and people shouting.
“I don’t know what happened. I just woke up to the boy shouting. He was injured on his arm and face. We all tried to help, but it happened so quickly.”
Chane Lukas says: “I woke up because I felt cold, I checked to see if I closed my door properly. A few minutes later, I heard the commotion. I just took my baby and grabbed my bag. I still don’t have shoes on my feet.”
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for City’s fire and rescue service, says the boy sustained burn wounds to the hands, face, and shoulders and was taken to a nearby hospital.
“Three make-shift structures were destroyed, leaving a number of persons displaced. The cause is undetermined.”
Francine Higham, Ward 77 councillor, says the City’s social development officials were on site to offer the occupants assistance and alternative accommodation.
“After much convincing one of the young women has accepted assistance for her and her young child.”
Carelse says five informal structures were destroyed leaving seven people displaced at Zonnebloem.
“One adult female was in a serious condition, sustained severe burn wounds, and was treated and transported to the New Somerset Hospital. The cause is unknown.”
Higham has expressed her concern over an increase in fire incidents.
“These ongoing fire incidents within the homeless camps are of great concern and during our visits to the sites we continue to urge the occupants to take up the offers of shelter which would be safer and also include meals, and access to clean water and ablution facilities etc.”
Higham says the property known as Strompie forms part of the District Six Restitution Land.
“We will continue to engage with both the City’s human settlements directorate as well as the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development regarding the ongoing maintenance and legal processes required to safeguard this area.”
Higham says during a recent site meeting it was decided by City officials that they will repair the fence at the top of Strompie that runs along Phillip Kgosana Drive. She adds that the repair will be a “temporary measure” until a long-term solution” can be built.
