Over 300 lose homes after fire guts Tshwane informal settlement
Around 350 people have lost their homes after the Koos de la Rey informal settlement in Pretoria North was gutted by fire.
Over 300 residents have lost their homes after a fire broke out at the Koos de la Rey informal settlement in Pretoria North.
The incident happened on Thursday, 23 November 2023.
ANOTHER TSHWANE INFORMAL SETTLEMENT ON FIRE
Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson Deputy Chief Charles Mabaso said they arrived on the scene to find that multiple shacks that had been illegally built inside and outside a former factory structure were on fire.
Mabaso said the first-arriving unit requested backup, and a water tanker, a ladder truck and additional resources were dispatched to the incident to help contain and extinguish the blaze.
ALSO READ: DA lays SAHRC complaint against Ramaphosa
“Two patients were treated for smoke inhalation, transported to Steve Biko Academic Hospital and Tshwane District Hospital, and released on the same day. The Disaster Risk Management Section in the Emergency Services Department activated multiple stakeholders to relieve about 350 residents of the informal settlement.
“The Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (Gauteng EMS) provided a bus and a minibus to relocate the displaced residents to a temporary shelter at Pretoria North Community Hall. In addition, 220 blankets and 71 mattresses were issued to the affected residents,” he explained.
Mabaso said the cause of the fire is not yet known and is still being investigated.