Two die in Joe Slovo fire

Joe Slovo residents are picking up the pieces after a fire killed two people and destroyed 45 shacks in the informal settlement last Tuesday, April 29.

Ward 4 Community leader in Joe Slovo Steve Mdunyelwa said the fire had started just before midnight and the cause was still unknown.

“We woke up to people shouting 'fire, fire' and it was chaotic. We couldn't determine where exactly the fire started. And when firefighters arrived here they couldn't reach the fire as there were so many cars parked on the street,” said Mr Mdunyelwa.

Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City's Fire and Rescue Service, said numerous distress calls were received of shacks alight in Freedom Way, Joe Slovo.

"The first arriving officer assessed the situation and called on additional resources to combat the blaze. In total, we had 10 firefighting resources on scene, with nearly 50 staff members."

He said firefighters managed to extinguish the fire by 6.10am on Wednesday.

"Sadly, the bodies of two persons, genders and ages unknown, were found with fatal burn wounds. The cause of the incident is still unknown pending an investigation by the South African Police Service."

Ali Sablay from Gift of The Givers said the organisation received a number of calls for help from community leaders and fire victims in Joe Slovo. He said the organisation deployed a team to conduct the necessary assessments of the damage.

"When our team got on site, we noticed how densely populated the area is, structures are built on top of each other," said Mr Sablay.

He said from Wednesday April 30, Gift of the Givers had supplied humanitarian aid to the victims, which included food parcels, blankets, baby care packs, drinking water and toiletries.

Mr Sablay said the team would work with the community and provide school uniforms and stationery to children affected.

Milnerton police had not responded to Tabletalk by the time of publication.