/ 26 November 2005

Fire razes Joe Slovo shacks

More than 150 people were left destitute after a fire swept through the Joe Slovo informal settlement in Langa in the Western Cape on Saturday morning.

Cape Town emergency-services spokesperson Johan Minnie said the blaze began in the early hours of Saturday and has since been extinguished.

The fire destroyed about 60 shacks.

”No injuries were reported. The people affected by the fire are still in the area,” said Minnie.

”Food and blankets will be distributed to the destitute. A non-governmental organisation has offered to give us the food and blankets.”

Minnie added that if shelter needs to be provided, it will be done by Saturday night. — Sapa