Cape Town Family of 3 Killed in Shack Fire in Informal Settlement, Residents Blame Loadshedding
- A family of three were killed when a fire spread through an informal settlement in Cape Town
- It’s alleged that the fire was started by a candle that the man left on because he did not want to wait in the darkness
- South Africans mourned their deaths and pointed the finger at Eskom because it was loadshedding
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Tebogo Mokwena, a dedicated Briefly News current affairs journalist, contributed coverage of international and local social issues like health, education and heritage in South Africa during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
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A fire swept through an informal settlement in Cape Town, killed an entire family and left people homeless and severely injured. The fire broke out on 12 February after a candle was left on during loadshedding. The community is mourning their loss and blames loadshedding for the deaths and loss.
Fire kills Cape Town family
According to Daily Voice, an eight-month-old baby and her two parents passed away after they struggled to escape the raging fire. It’s believed that residents attribute the fire to a candle that the family lit and fell over. It’s thought the father was sitting with his baby and lit the candle because he did not want to be in the dark with his baby.
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Some also believe that the family struggled to free themselves from the shack because they had locked themselves from the inside with a chain and padlock. Two people were injured, and one was rushed to the nearby hospital.
SA blames Eskom
Netizens on Facebook were devastated and lashed out at Eskom and the African National Congress for the shack fire which killed the family.
Lydia Wessels said:
“The ANC has failed the people. My deepest sympathy to the family and friends.”
Ingrid Anderson complained:
“Eskom is accountable for all fires and lives that were lost.”
Noziwe Gleness Mlaza was hurt.
“This loadshedding thing is getting out of hand. My friend lost his house because of fire.”
Denny V D Rhede added:
“This loadshedding is sickening.”
Vehanda Adonis was pained.
“Condolences to the family of the deceased. May God ease your pain.”
Zol joint guts shacks in Cape Town informal settlement
In a similar article, Briefly News reported that 18 shacks in Kensington, Cape Town, burned down allegedly because of a joint.
One of the residents believed the fire was caused by a mandala throwing his joint in a paper bin.
South Africans were angry at the man and blamed him for losing many homes.
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Source: Briefly News
