A fire tore through Wingfield Tent City in Cape Town on Thursday afternoon, leaving hundreds of residents homeless.

Resident and victim of the incident, Fatuma Mussa Rukundo told IOL that the fire caused widespread damage and left residents unsure of the next steps.  

“Everything is destroyed. Our houses, businesses, food, clothes and belongings are destroyed. Thank God we are alive, but everything is gone.” Rukundo added that they are camped opposite the road. 

Schooling and education are also top priorities for the residents. “And what about our children? They have to go to school for exams, but we don’t know if they can even go to school.”

The residents at Wingfield Tent City were recently served with eviction papers, and Rukundo highlighted their plight, saying that while this was an accident, there were hazards.   

“We are people. This is not just another fire. The government knows the area we are in is bad.

According to Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre, Disaster Management Officers were immediately deployed to the scene off Voortrekker Road to conduct preliminary assessments and coordinate emergency relief efforts. 

“Structures on the perimeter of the site remain intact, and affected persons have the option of returning to those, staying with friends or family off-site, or being accommodated at local shelters. Our team is also liaising with shelters and safe spaces to determine available bed spaces,” Powell confirmed.

Once the City’s Fire and Rescue Service has completed its operations, a grader will be brought in to clear the burnt area, Powell added.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Gift of the Givers said its teams had been “inundated with calls for assistance” from community leaders, human rights activists, and fire victims soon after the blaze broke out.

“The entire settlement has been completely destroyed, leaving hundreds of people homeless,” the organisation said. “Residents, who were recently served with eviction papers, have now lost all their belongings in the blaze. In response, Gift of the Givers has activated immediate humanitarian aid. Hot meals and bottled water will be distributed this evening once the fire department extinguishes the remaining flare-ups. Our teams will extend operations into tomorrow and the coming days to provide continued support to those affected.”

Emergency services were still on the scene late Thursday evening, working to douse the remaining hotspots and ensure the safety of surrounding areas.

IOL

Source link