Cape Town — Authorities are set to probe the cause behind a fire that displaced more than 40 people from a building in Jeppestown this past weekend.
The fire broke out when an incident happened on the corners of Anderson and Maritzburg Street. Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS) spokesperson, Xolile Khumalo, said the current status of the building is not available but has been partitioned into shacks, The Citizen reported.
“All shacks inside the building were destroyed by fire, causing the roof to collapse. One person suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital by GPG,” Khumalo said.
EMS cautioned residents to take care of heating and cooking devices as the cold front continues.
EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, revealed that a fire broke out on the corner of Jannie and Jules Street in Jeppestown, and confirmed that the fire may have started from an illegal connection. He said one person when injured when jumping out of the building.
“We can confirm that firefighters have recovered four bodies while conducting search and recovery operations. We also have three patients who were treated for injuries and smoke inhalation. They were transported to the nearest healthcare facility for further medical care by Gauteng EMS paramedics,” Mulaudzi said.
He said the building looked like an informal settlement, and that all people needed to be accounted for.
Meanwhile, it was a difficult weekend across the Gauteng province as more than 2 000 residents lost their homes from a destructive fire that hit Tshwane. The fire destroyed more than 814 structures at the Cemetary View informal settlement. One person died, with many others hospitalised,
EWN reported.
Community leader Banele Tshoko said the municipality instructed them not to rebuild their structures.
“They said we should not rebuild our structures as they decide. We are waiting for an answer. Those who are building don’t know where they stand,” Tshoko said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
