GEORGE NEWS - Arson is the cause of most of the household fires in December 2024. This is according to the George Fire Department, in their feedback to council last week.
The department noted an increase of 13 household fires at formal (brick) houses in December 2024, in comparison to none a year before, in December 2023.
In total, 13 RDP (ie, formal) houses; 10 backyard dwellings and five informal dwellings were destroyed over December 2024. It brings the total to 28 household fires, compared to 13 household fires for December 2023.
George Fire Department and Department of Human Settlements gave feedback on questions from Good Councillor Rosa Louw, who asked for a tally of the total cost incurred due to the household fires, help extended to families in need, reasons for the household fires and number of emergency structures erected.
Costly exercise
Acting Deputy Director of Human Settlements Clinton Petersen answered that the erection of eight structures - excluding the cost of labour - is about about R240 000, which is roughly R30 000 per structure. This does not include overtime payable to municipal personnel for working after hours.
George Municipality further confirmed that a household's indigent status (on the munisipal data base) is not a criterion that is applied when assistance is provided to fire victims.
Temporary housing assistance is however not provided in cases of arson or fraud (where the fire was deliberately set); where the occupants were negligent (their actions resulted in the fire); where the owners have house insurance or where the occupants are working and have the means to assist themselves.
Prevention
In response to Louw's question about ways and means to prevent these household fires, the municipality said the fire department's public education programmes will start this month, in February.
They added that owners should remove damaged wiring and maintain their homes, and always use candles and combustible materials safely.
George Fire Department launched a public education programme on fire safety at home last year, initially focusing on informal structures in Thembalethu, including schools.
"As the programme progresses, it will expand to other informal settlements and later to low-cost housing areas," said spokesperson Chantèl Edwards. "Additionally, the communication department regularly shares 'Fire Safety at Home' information throughout the year as part of its communication plan."
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