Just weeks after
the City of Cape Town rolled out a pilot project to limit the spread of fires
in Overcome Heights informal settlement, a fire has left one dead after five
structures caught alight on Wednesday night (2 August).
Fire and Rescue
Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, confirmed the death, adding that 13
people were left displaced by the blaze.
“One adult male
succumbed to fatal burn wounds in a fire last night in Overcome Heights.
“The City’s Fire
and Rescue Service was alerted at 23:30 of informal structures alight in St.
Titus Crescent on Wednesday the 2 August.
“Crews from
Lakeside, Wynberg, Constantia, Mitchell’s Plain and Epping were on scene.”
He says 20
firefighters managed to contain and extinguish the blaze, which destroyed five
structures.
“The body of the
man was discovered under the debris, and he was declared deceased by medical
personnel.”
On Tuesday 11 July,
the City, in partnership with Mandoval Vermiculite Pty Ltd, launched a pilot
project to limit the spread of fires in informal settlements.
The project was
launched at the informal settlement, where the first 10 structures were coated
in a fire-retardant substance.
When questioned on
how effective the City’s pilot project has been considering the latest fatal
fire, Disaster Risk Management Centre spokesperson Charlotte Powell said the
project is ongoing.
“The pilot project
continues. As indicated, it is a six-month project, with a target of at least
300 structures. The pilot is being rolled out in A-section in Overcome Heights.
The fire occurred in B-section.”
