CITY URGES COMMUNITIES TO BE VIGILANT AS BITTERLY COLD CONDITIONS GUTTERS 27 SHACKS IN NOMPUMELELO
The Buffalo City Metro is urging the public to be vigilant and not to leave candles, heaters or paraffin lamps unattended.

This is as bitterly cold conditions are sweeping across the region prompting many shack dwellers to find creative ways of warming up. These amongst them include the dangerous illegal tempering and connections of electrical wires which results into fires.

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality’s Fire and Emergency units yesterday responded to a fire in Nompumelelo Township which burnt down approximately 27 shacks.

Fortunately, there are no reports of any fatalities or injuries.

Ward 15 councillor Nwabisa Mcwabeni has facilitated that the displaced families be accommodated at the Nompumelelo Community Hall whilst processes to pick up the pieces are unfolding.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Buffalo City Metro Spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya has called on communities to be vigilant.

"With the dry and windy conditions, fires tend to spread quickly and one careless mistake can have devastating consequences so it is important for people to be on high alert," Ngwenya said.

"Whilst we promote safety through awerenes campaigns that include school visits, it is only at home that this must be practiced. And it needs to filter down to even little children."

Ngwenya said the Metro was still undertaking operations to curb illegal connections and these include offering amnesty to those that were tempering.

"Amongst the key deliverables of the amnesty is to move people from an unsafe environment of illegal connections to a secure connection. This can make a difference between life and death. Council is considering extending the amnesty so that we can move more people away from tempering," he added.

The Metro is urging the public to be always be cautious by:
● Extinguish candles, stoves and heaters before leaving the room or going to sleep,
● Always keep candles and paraffin lamps out of the reach of children,
● Keep candles and paraffin lamps in the centre of the table, away from curtains, papers and other combustible items as well as avoid illegal electrical connections.
● Refrain from leaving candles or paraffin stoves and heaters unattended.

The public can contact the Fire and Rescue Services for the entire Buffalo City area at 043 705 9000 as soon as they see any fire before serious damages can occur.

2024-07-31