By Rorisang Modiba
• Firefighters found the body of a man under the rubble after a fire destroyed about 150 shacks in Plastic View informal settlement.
• Tshwane officials say 800 houses are planned for Plastic View as families recover from the deadly shack fire.
A deadly shack fire tore through Plastic View informal settlement in Tshwane on Friday morning, killing one man and leaving hundreds homeless.
MMC for Human Settlements Alderman Aaron Maluleka visited the area on Saturday after the devastating blaze destroyed about 150 shacks.
Emergency services said firefighters received reports of multiple shacks on fire shortly after 6am.
Crews from Central, Silverton, Erasmuskloof and Mamelodi fire stations rushed to the scene to stop the flames from spreading.
Firefighters later found the body of an adult man under the rubble during search and clean up operations.
Authorities said the victim could not escape the fire.
“The South African Police Service forensic investigation team is also on site and has so far recovered the body of an adult male,” said Maluleka.
Officials are still assessing the full damage and counting how many families lost their homes.
The City of Tshwane’s Housing and Human Settlements Department is working with Community and Social Development officials to verify affected households before help is given to displaced residents.
Maluleka also used the visit to update residents on housing plans for the area.
He said the city plans to build 800 top structures for qualifying beneficiaries as part of efforts to improve living conditions in Plastic View.
Emergency services said the cause of the fire is still unknown.
Investigators will continue their work once the area is declared safe.
“Firefighters worked swiftly to contain and extinguish the blaze to prevent the fire from spreading further within the informal settlement,” the emergency services department said.
Disaster Risk Management teams are expected to assist families affected by the fire.
City officials also warned residents to be careful when using candles, paraffin stoves, heaters and electrical appliances during winter, when shack fires become more common.
Pictured above: Fire tore through the Plastic View Informal Settlement in Moreleta Park
Image source: Supplied
