/ 2 July 2009

Shacks catch fire in Alexandra

About 50 shacks caught fire in Alexandra on Thursday, prompting shack dwellers to rush to save their belongings and food, Johannesburg police said.

”Plus-minus 50 shacks were burnt at 13th Avenue in Alexandra,” said Inspector Moses Maphakela.

The fire is said to have started at about 3pm on Thursday and the cause was not yet known.

Three fire engines were at the scene trying to douse the flames.

”About 200 people are rushing to save their valuables and their food from the burning shacks,” said Maphakela.

No one had been injured during the incident, police said. — Sapa