CT City extends helping hand to assist Joe Slovo fire victims after blaze ripped 300 shacks

The City of Cape Town officials have descended to Joe Slovo informal settlement in Cape Town, in bid to assist distraught families after a fire blaze wrecked hundred shacks on Saturday evening.

Hundreds have no roof over their heads following devastating fire, according to the City, over 300 homes were destroyed, leaving approximately 1 200 people homeless.

The City of Cape Town said a total of 10 fire engineers and seven water tankers attended to the scene.

Due to the aggressive fire, more than 70 fire fighters extinguished the fire just prior midnight.

Officials have been assessing the situation and are working with South Africa’s Social Security Agency to assist the destitute families.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated by the officials.

Hundreds of shacks in the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Cape Town have been razed to the ground. An estimated 1,200 people have now been left homeless. Our reporter, @Athi speaks to a woman who has lost her home in the fire.

Watch: https://t.co/IMGka3SYaR#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/hbsWMkNQ5N

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 17, 2022

City of Cape Town’s JP Smith said, “Efforts are underway to make available emergency shelter, activating the South African Social Security Agency, Gift of the Givers and Islamic Relief to provide humanitarian assistance and clearing the site once it is safe to do so in order for rebuilding to begin.”

Smith also called on residents of Langa to help identify those who hampered the work of firefighters.

What turned out to be even more bizarre about fire was that it was not the first one to be reported in the area that day.

The police said residents reported two more fires that unsheltered many families.

The first fire broke out just before seven o’clock in the morning, claiming one life due to wounds sustained.

The second fire ignited after 11am, destroying over 15 homes, with no injuries.