Call for help after fire razes 32 dwellings

GEORGE NEWS - National Human Settlements Department representative Sanjay Arjun visited George on Saturday 9 September after 32 homes were razed by a fire in Thembalethu on Wednesday 6 September.

Arjun visited Zone 8 with municipal officials where he spoke about the way forward, saying that they will do their best to assist the homeless people in the informal settlement in Zone 8 after they lost their homes.

According to municipal communications officer Ntobeko Mangqwengqwe, George Fire Services called resources from the main fire station in town, the Wilderness station and the Thembalethu station to assist with the fire.

This entailed three fire pumpers, one tanker and one command vehicle on the scene. The last vehicle with the crew left the scene at 23:36 after declaring the scene safe.

No loss of life or any injuries have been reported.

George Municipality, with the help of the ward councillor for the area, Faith Mdaka, arranged for accommodation with mattresses and blankets for the residents who were affected by the fire.

Earlier, the mayor of George, Leon van Wyk, also visited the area.

• The public is asked to assist with donations for the victims of the fire. The fire destroyed a large number of dwellings and the need for help is great. Mangqwengqwe said donations could include doors, window frames, nails, Safe Top screws (used on roofs), furniture, towels, blankets, bedding, toiletries, pots and pans, cleaning products, clothing items and non-perishable food items.

The public can drop off all donations for fire victims at the Community Development Service office on the corner of Varing and St John's streets behind the George Post Office between 08:00 and 16:00 Monday to Friday.

Sanjay Arjun of the national Human Settlements Department (second right) with municipality officials and Thembalethu ward councillors on Saturday morning.