More than 50 families have been left homeless after a fire destroyed their shacks in Overcome Heights on Saturday night.
Resident Michelle Pietersen says three of the victims have lost everything for a third time.
“They previously lost their belongings to fire and it happened again, now the people want to move out of the area. The fire started at some woman’s place in her bedroom, no one knows what exactly caused it,” says Michelle.
“It was really windy that night and the fire was uncontrollable and we could hear gas tanks exploding, but the firefighters managed to put it out. And yesterday morning there was another fire in Rasta Avenue. The fire department responded quickly.”
City Fire and Rescue’s Jermaine Carelse says: “A blaze that ripped through Seawinds destroyed a number of informal homes and left several residents displaced.
“The City’s Fire & Rescue Service responded to the emergency call at 9.40pm on Saturday, and firefighters from Lakeside Fire Station were first on the scene.
“A total of 12 firefighting appliances and 50 firefighters battled to contain the fire before it was eventually extinguished by 3am this morning. No injuries or fatalities were reported.”
The Gift of the Givers visited the area and lent a helping hand to the community.
Chairman and founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman says: “Western Cape Disaster Management requested Gift of the Givers to intervene in Overcome Heights after a fire destroyed dwellings.
“Gift of the Givers responded with hot nutritious meals, bottled water, masks and sanitisers yesterday, more supplies will follow once the community has been resettled.
“Gift of the Givers will provide a range of supplies to lessen the burden of the great loss.”