Shack fire ravages Joe Slovo informal settlement in Cape Flats

Firefighters battle fire at the Joe Slovo Informal Settlement in Langa on December 26, 2024

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Another shack fire has ravaged informal dwellings on the Cape Flats. The City of Cape Town says they’ve responded to a fire last night in the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Langa.

Hundreds of shacks have been gutted in the blaze.

Firefighters responded to at least 10 fires across the metro over the past week with two deaths having been reported – one in Nomzamo in Strand and the other at Vrygrond near Muizenberg.

Fires have also been reported in Du Noon near Milnerton and Masiphumelele at Fish Hoek.

Cape Town authorities are expected to assess the situation at the Disaster Management Centre later.

Aid group Gift of the Givers will be stepping up relief efforts in Langa on Friday. They’ve provided aid kits and food parcels to the hundreds who have been left destitute.

Hot weather and strong south-easterly winds have lashed the Western Cape over the past few days with cooler temperatures expected today.

GALLERY | Fire at the Joe Slovo Informal Settlement in Langa:

The City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) has urged residents to be cautious with open fires, especially during windy conditions.

This follows a series of devastating fires that have broken out in several informal settlements around the city.

The fires have displaced hundreds of people. One person has died of smoke inhalation and many others have been injured.

Disaster Management spokesperson, Sonica Lategan says they are co-ordinating relief efforts with the support of the Gift of the Givers.

Lategan says, “The DRMC has been activated to coordinate all response and relief efforts to these fire incidents. Our humanitarian relief partner, Gift of the Givers, responded to provide soft relief in the form of hot meals, baby packs, hygiene packs, food parcels and blankets.”