1 000+ shacks burn down

2008-08-17 08:09

Johannesburg - Over a thousand shacks burnt down at Denver hostel squatter camp in Southern Johannesburg late on Saturday night, said Johannesburg Emergency Management services.

Spokesperson Percy Morokane said about 3000 people were left displaced after the fire started in the settlement situated on Main Reef and Plantatie Street just after 22:00.

Morokane said Turffontein, Rosebank, Fairview and Kibler Park fire stations battled the blaze until after midnight.

There were no fatalities and appeared to be no injuries.

However the displaced people were in danger of getting sick being exposed to the cold and the elements now that their homes were destroyed.

Their health would have to be reassessed again on Sunday morning, said Morokane.

Many possible causes

Morokane said some people who lived on the other side from where the fire started managed to salvage some items before their shacks burnt down but many lost everything.

"People suffered losses, I'm telling you," he said.

Just before 01;00 on Sunday, firefighters on the scene were now "dumping down" whereby they ensure there are no areas left where a fire could spark up again.

Safety officers on the scene were trying to find out what caused the fire but due to the magnitude of damage this could take some time, said Morokane.

"In illegal informal settlements there are a lot of social factors that come into being. High on the list is drunkenness...where a person drinks and forgets to put off the candle...or they might leave a pot cooking on a stove and go and buy beer again".

Morokane also said domestic violence or fighting between neighbours could cause a fire if they knocked over items like candles while fighting.

He said while there was no indication as yet that these were the causes of the Denver fire; "these are on the list of likely causes".

Morokane said people from disaster management were on the scene to try help the displaced people.

They would try to maybe get some tents and blankets and especially take care of children and the elderly.

However, the late hour now meant logistics would not be readily available, he said.

- SAPA