Pretoria - No injuries or fatalities were reported following a fire that burned about 70 shacks and affected 181 people of Manngolongolo in Denver, on Saturday, says Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
The department said this was the second fire incident that occurred in the area in one week.
The department’s MEC Jacob Mamabolo pleaded with Gauteng communities to help prevent fires that leave a trail of destruction in communities, particularly in informal settlements.
“This is one of the saddest accidents where one community is hit by two fire outbreaks in just a week. It clearly shows that community vigilance needs strengthening. Communities must prioritise fire prevention particularly during this winter season,” said MEC Mamabolo.
It is suspected that the cause of the fire is illegal and unsafe connection of electricity cables, said the department.
“I appeal to all communities in Gauteng to be extra cautious and help in avoiding destruction of property, injuries and fatalities.
“Don’t leave candles unattended, keep an eye on paraffin heaters and stoves, braziers (umbawula) and do not allow unprotected live electric wires in houses,” said the MEC.
The department said fires can be prevented and many lives could be saved with the necessary preventative measures in place.
“This is exactly one of the reasons why the COGTA Fire & Rescue Services, supported by municipalities, recently embarked on a winter awareness campaign across all Gauteng regions.
“The main purpose of these awareness campaigns is to ensure that vulnerable communities have basic knowledge of, and understand, the dangers of fire as well as the functioning of the emergency services in general, and the fire brigade in particular,” he said.
The department said the aim is also to mitigate the number and impact of fires within the Gauteng region, in particular vulnerable areas such as informal settlements and rural areas. - SAnews.gov.za
