Over 150 souls have been left homeless after a fire destroyed a Pretoria informal settlement. The fire, which erupted in the afternoon, consumed approximately seventy dwellings in its path, reducing the personal belongings and shelters of entire families to smouldering ash.
Emergency crews from across Tshwane were scrambled to the scene in a desperate bid to contain the roaring flames. The response was immediate and involved multiple firefighting units working in tandem to battle the intense heat and thick, choking smoke.
The City’s Emergency Services spokesperson, Nana Kgiba, detailed the swift reaction to the crisis. She confirmed that the alarm was raised just after one o’clock in the afternoon.
“Emergency services were alerted to the incident via the Emergency Communication Centre at approximately 13:07 this afternoon,” said Kgiba.
The spokesperson praised the concerted efforts of the firefighters, who managed to prevent any loss of life despite the scale of the destruction.
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“The coordinated effort by firefighters ensured the blaze was quickly brought under control, preventing further spread and protecting nearby homes,” she explained. Kgiba added, “However, approximately 70 shacks were destroyed, displacing more than 150 people. The City’s Disaster Management will coordinate rehabilitation efforts with different stakeholders.”
Over 150 Displaced As Fire Razes Pretoria Informal Settlement
For the residents of Sivilcon, the aftermath is a heartbreaking scene of charred rubble. With their homes and possessions utterly destroyed, the displaced families now face an uncertain future, reliant on the support of disaster management and humanitarian organisations. The community has been left in a state of shock, grappling with the immense task of rebuilding their lives from scratch.
While the official cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities have immediately pointed to the potential dangers of unsafe heating practices in densely populated informal settlements. With the winter chill setting in, the use of candles, paraffin stoves, and other heating devices increases dramatically.
Kgiba issued a stern reminder to all communities, urging utmost caution.
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“Building safer communities is a shared responsibility, and the Emergency Services Department encourages everyone to exercise caution when using heating equipment,” she stated.
She emphasised the critical need for vigilance, adding,
“Kgiba urged residents to use heating devices safely and to never leave candles or other heat sources unattended.”