Upon arrival on the scene, firefighters found several shacks had already been gutted by flames.<\/p>\n
It is alleged a resident fell asleep while preparing food following a night of jollification.<\/p>
Flames soon engulfed his shack and spread out to surrounding dwellings, leaving the affected neighbours with no more than the clothes on their backs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately members of the community were aggressive towards the crews and prevented smooth firefighting operations.<\/p>\n \u201cThis resulted in crews calling on local law enforcement units to come and calm the situation,\u201d said William Ntladi, district media liaison manager for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS).<\/p>\n \u201cWhile community members harassed firefighters, the fire spread to other shacks causing intense damage.\u201d<\/p>\n When the situation calmed down, firefighters continued with their mandate and managed to extinguish the blaze.<\/p>\n \u201cThe harassment of the community resulted in one fire engine being damaged and taken out of commission.<\/p>\n \u201cThe process of replacing it with an operational one attributed negatively in the accomplishment of the mission.<\/p>\n \u201cSeveral fire hoses were damaged as well,\u201d said Ntladi<\/p>\n Approximately 30 shacks were damaged by the blaze leaving over 60 residents without homes.<\/p>\n No casualties caused by the fire were recorded on scene.<\/p>\n \u201cFire and disaster management officials assisted with disaster relief aids to the affected community members,\u201d said Ntladi.<\/p>\n The Germiston Branch of the South African Red Cross Society was alerted to the crisis and, after an assessment, distributed 165 blankets to those affected by the fire last Monday morning.<\/p>\n The Red Cross calls on the public to donate blankets to assist them in responding promptly to these emergencies.<\/p>\n According to Ntladi, the actual cause of the fire is still undetermined and investigations are underway.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2018\/06\/redcross1-Mobile.jpg\")
ALSO READ:\u00a0Metro and EMPD deny wrongdoing following Goodhope protest<\/a><\/h4>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Goodhope calls on Makhura or Ramaphosa to help following empty promises by the metro<\/a><\/h4>\n