Fire leaves 14 people displaced

Dirmia Lukas was on her way back from the beach on New Year's Day when she saw black, smoky clouds billowing from her structure in the informal settlement at the Old Weltevreden Farm in Brooklyn.

A caravan and tent used as shelter and a wooden structure were destroyed in the blaze.

The wooden structure was in fact the home of Ms Lukas, her husband and their four children.

They had been living there for the past two years. “It is sad to see our home go up in flames,” she said.

Ms Lukas said she was happy that no one had been injured or died.

“We are still uncertain of the cause of the fire and are looking for clues as to how it all started,” she said.

What a way to start the new year, said Ms Lukas.

City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue spokesman, Jermaine Carelse, said seven adults and seven children were displaced; fortunately no injuries and fatalities were recorded.

A man was treated for smoke inhalation but refused hospitalisation, said Mr Carelse.

“Crews from Milnerton, Salt River and Brooklyn were on the scene,” he said.

Ward 55 councillor Fabian Ah-Sing said there has been a number of complaints from residents about the informal structures at the Old Weltevreden Farm.

Ms Lukas said they had tried to rebuild their wooden structure but was unsuccessful and they currently live in a tent.

Two of her children attend Buren High School, they are 14 and 16 years old. She has a younger child, aged 11, who attends Ysterplaat Primary School and her youngest child is 2 years old.

She said they are in need of food and clothes because they lost everything in the fire.

If you would like to help those affected by the fire, call Dirmia Lukas on 082 661 6285.