Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
Around 900 people were left homeless when a fire destroyed
nearly 200 shacks in the Pomona informal settlement in Kempton Park, north east
of Johannesburg CBD, on Monday night.
According to
Ekurhuleni emergency services spokesperson Aaron Mafunda, no deaths have been
reported, despite the extent of the blaze.
The fire
broke out at around 19:00 and was extinguished shortly after midnight, Mafunda
told News24.
"We
managed to extinguish the fire and there were no casualties."
Mafunda said
the city's disaster management team was on the scene to assist those affected
with alternative accommodation. However, locals were reluctant to leave the
area, fearing that
"About
95% of the community refused to leave the area despite reassurance from the
EMPD and SAPS. Perhaps we can start relocating those affected today
[Tuesday]," Mafunda said.
It was
unclear how or where the fire started.
 |
| Lebohang Selai was ready to sleep after her 23-month-old son had closed his eyes when she heard the screams: “It’s burning, fire, fire!” |
According to
Mafunda, six different fire stations attended to the blaze.
"Three tankers
and six fire pumps were used to extinguish the fire.
On Monday night,
various pictures and videos of the fire were posted on social media, News24 reported.
Kempton Express reported that the NG Church Bonaero
Park on Malpensa Street had been made available as a drop-off point for
clothes, blankets, food, water and other necessities.
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