350 people left homeless in Cape Town, South Africa, following fire
On the 12th February, a firefighter was attacked in the early hours of the morning as he was fighting a fire that impacted 95 homes in an informal settlement in Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa.
350 people were displaced as a result of the fire that erupted in Mandela Park, according to Cape Town Fire and Rescue spokesperson Theo Layne.
Layne also said that as one of the firefighters was doing his best to extinguish the blaze, he sustained injuries to his shoulder after a member of the community attacked him.
“Fire is now contained. 20 Firefighting vehicles (10 fire engines and 10 water tankers). More than 70 firefighters on scene. No injuries reported from the public‚” Layne said in an early morning text update.
“Cause of the fire not established as yet. Crew will remain on scene for some considerable time carrying out mopping up operations.”
The disaster risk management unit assessed the nature of the damage later on the 12th February.
