Bonteheuwel’s ward councillor is appealing to residents to take care when using candles and turn off appliances during load shedding after a fire damaged an 85-year-old woman’s house.
Angus McKenzie says the fire broke out in the upstairs bedroom of a three-bedroom house on Sunday night October 16.
The 85-year-old woman who lived alone in the house had been taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and was was now staying with family in Mitchell’s Plain, he said.
“I don’t know how the fire started, nor do the neighbours. The neighbours were very helpful; they immediately jumped into action and attempted to put out the fire, carrying buckets of water,” he said.
People wanting to help the woman could drop off donations at his office, he said.
City Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jermaine Carelse said the cause of the fire was unknown.
“A bedroom inside the formal dwelling was alight. One female sustained injuries and was transported to hospital.”
Charlotte Powell, a spokeswoman for the City’s disaster risk management centre, said they could only request humanitarian aid from the South African Social Security Agency for fires in informal settlements.
Mr McKenzie said candles, heaters and illegal electricity connections were often to blame for fires in Bonteheuwel.
“Residents must take precautions. Overloading plugs and load shedding are also causes of fires. Residents must make themselves aware of load shedding and turn off appliances before load shedding kicks in. I thank residents for always responding to the challenges the area faces and for always lending a helping hand.”
Meanwhile, a fire in Hanover Park Avenue, shortly after midnight, on Saturday October 15, displaced 10 people and destroyed four shacks, according to ward councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Donations were needed to help the victims, he said.
“Ten people, including adults and children were displaced. They’ve lost everything in the fire. People are more than welcome to drop off donations at my office at the Blomvlei community hall.”
Mr Carelse said the fire was extinguished at 1.55am and its cause was unknown.