Police probe Kya Sands blaze

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Pretoria - Police are still investigating the cause of the fire which razed more than 60 shacks, leaving over a hundred families homeless and one person dead in Kya Sands, north of Johannesburg.

Gauteng police spokesperson, Eugene Opperman, said police were following up on leads into the cause of the fire. The fire is suspected to have broken out after a tavern owner tried to refill an electricity generator.

"We have opened an inquest docket. We hope to finish with the investigation soon.

Many of those left homeless said they were at work when the frantic calls about the fire came in urging them to rush home. When they arrived, everything they owned was gone. They have this morning begun to rebuild their homes with the remaining materials.

A local church has stepped in to help with accommodation and Disaster Management Services have also arranged shelter for some of the displaced in the meantime.