Minister Patricia De Lille Dispatches Officials to Survivors of at Least Seven Weekend Fires, Affecting 226 Capetonians | Western Cape Government

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Minister Patricia De Lille Dispatches Officials to Survivors of at Least Seven Weekend Fires, Affecting 226 Capetonians

27 February 2011

Patricia de Lille, the Minister for Social Development in the Western Cape, has dispatched departmental personnel to assist the survivors of at least seven devastating fires since Friday, 25 February.

Friday

  • In the morning a fire destroyed one shack in Enkanini, displacing two people.
  • Also in the morning one Wendy House was destroyed in Gamtoos Road in Manenberg, displacing five people.
  • On Friday night another Wendy House was burnt down, this time in Bronze Street, Rocklands, Mitchells Plain, leaving two people homeless.

Saturday

  • On Saturday morning three shacks in Diliya Close, Harare, Khayelitsha burnt down, displacing nine people.
  • On Saturday night a massive fire tore through 24 shacks in Europe Informal Settlement in Nyanga, displacing 39 adults, 50 children and 11 babies.
  • Another four people were displaced on the same night after their Wendy House burnt down in Houtman Street, Forest Glade, Eerste River.

Sunday

  • On Sunday night a fire in Lusaka Informal Settlement in Nyanga destroyed 20 structures, leaving 100 people homeless, including 70 adults, 20 children and ten babies.

"I have instructed officials to deliver baby packs, brunches and blankets to the survivors of these fires," MEC De Lille says.

"We are extremely fortunate that there were no fatalities. Of course, losing all of one's belongings is bad enough. The Department is working with our service providers to ensure that those affected are provided with new clothes."

"After we have received household claims from the affected families we will process further cash support of R750 per household," De Lille says.

"I would like to appeal to communities to be vigilant during the scorching heat of the next few days - almost all fires can be avoided through vigilance."

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