5 families affected by fire

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Five families were left with nothing but the clothes they were wearing after a fire that destroyed their shack on Friday 8 June.

The families, who shared a communal shack in Zone 9, Thembalethu said they have no idea what started the fire. They just saw it engulfing their home.

Nothobile Mkefe, one of the victims of the fire, told the George Herald that they were sitting outside at about 20:00 when they saw smoke in one of the rooms. "Before we knew it, flames started to come out of the rooms. We rushed to try to put the fire out and called neighbours for assistance, but we were too late. The flames were already big."

The cause of the fire in KwaNompumelelo is still unknown and no one was injured. Mkefe said they would need clothes as all their belongings have burned. The affected include children as young as one month old. "We have lost everything, from furniture to clothes, including important documents such as identity documents. The municipality has promised to build us a temporary structure in the meantime," said Mkefe .

Faith Mdaka, ward councillor of this area, has pleaded with people of George to assist these families with anything they can give. Mdaka also pleaded with residents, especially those who live in shacks, to be extra careful around electrical appliances and with open fires during winter.

Bare mattress springs give cold comfort after losing everything in a fire. Photo: Zolani Sinxo