Fire broke at Marlboro industrial area at 369, 3rd street and corner Old Pretoria road this morning. A total of 69 shacks were destroyed and 350 residents have been affected by the incident. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is still unknown.
The provincial Disaster Management, Fire and Rescure team as well as the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Fire Unit from the City of Johannesburg are on site. The on-site teams are assisting the victims and ensuring that the fire is properly managed.
MEC Mamabolo announced that the Department of Human Settlements is working with the City of Johannesburg to provide relief as well as to find overnight accommodation for the displaced residents. Our team has also sourced over 300 blankets which will be enough to provide comfort to all the affected residents given the extremely cold winter nights.”
MEC Mamabolo also welcomed other forms assistance being provided to the affected families such food parcels being distributed by the Gift of the Givers on site.
MEC Mamabolo commented: “We are highly concerned about the ongoing fires taking place during the winter season due to human error and lack caution by most families when using various forms of heating for their homes. Hundreds of households are either displaced or loose lives placing more pressure on local authorities and their limited resources.”
MEC Mamabolo made a plea to communities, especially those living in shelters, with close proximity to each other to take caution when heating their homes.
For more information contact:
Victor Moreriane
Cell: 079 529 5836
