Firefighters out in force as homes gutted, veld fires rage

Firefighters out in force as homes gutted,veld fires rage

21 December 2006

published by www.capetimes.co.za

South Africa — Firefighters battled strong winds to contain a number of veldfires while four separate blazes in informal settlements left about 80 peoplehomeless yesterday.

Eight homes were gutted by a fire in Bloekombos, Kraaifontein, at about7.20am. Two fire engines managed to contain the blaze before it spread.

Barely an hour later, a dwelling in Village Heights, Steenberg, was destroyedas well as one in Nyanga on Klipfontein Road.

Five dwellings in Nyanga were also razed leaving about 30 people destitute.

Wilfred Solomons, of the city’s Disaster Risk Management, said affectedresidents were given meals and blankets and were offered accommodation in nearbycommunity halls. Building materials would be supplied to them by the city’sHuman Settlement Services to construct new homes.