About 50 people are seeking refuge after a fire burnt down their homes and all their belongings, in Bonteheuwel, last week.
The fire started at a wendy house in Bessie Road, on Monday November 28, at around 11am. It quickly spread to the wendy houses surrounding it including those in Boekenhout Street.
Fifteen wendy houses were destroyed, according to one of the victims, Salven Dran. Someone had added to the tragedy, he said, by slashing the fire hoses as firemen had tried to fight the blaze.
“I was at work when my brother-in-law phoned me to say that I need to come now because my place was burning. By the time I got there, everything was burnt to the ground, nothing could be saved,” Mr Dran said.
Mr Dran said he was living with family while his three sons stayed with their friends.
City Fire and Rescue spokesman Jermaine Carelse said the call had come in at 11.35am.
“A total of four fire engines, two water tankers and 24 firefighters battled the blaze, which was extinguished at approximately 2pm. Their efforts were hampered by angry residents who threatened firefighters and slashed the fire hoses. A number of persons were displaced and several informal structures were destroyed, he said.
Mr Dran said he and the other families urgently needed help. The children were suffering and needed a place to live.
“We really need building material and anything else that people can donate. We don’t know how the fire started, there are many rumours going around,” he said.
Ward councillor Angus McKenzie said a lot of the damage could have been avoided if the fire hoses had not been slashed.
“I am appealing to community members to advise who the individual is so that he can be arrested and accordingly charged for reckless and irresponsible actions. A plea for donations has been put out and anyone able to help or assist can directly drop off donations in Bessie Avenue or Boekenhout Street Bontehuewel,” he said.
Bishop Lavis police station spokesman Samantha Adonis said the City had not reported any cases to the police station.