Hundreds displaced as fire rips through Plasticview

The fire at the informal settlement, situated a stone throw from Woodlands Mall, destroyed 223 shacks and left 347 people displaced.

 Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga says the fire has left a lot of children without homes.

 "There has been 223 shacks that have been destroyed, of that 347 people find themselves displaced and that also translates to quiet a number of young children that have been left without a place called home.  I am told that there is a 7-day-old child that was among those that are survived but who are now being cared for. We are going to try and assist where we can.”

 The cause of the fire has not yet been established but Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Johan Pieterse says preliminary investigations point to a prima stove left unattended. 

Meanwhile, Lesotho national Nthathi Lekorana spoke to Jacaranda FM News in seSotho and saif the fire has left her with nothing. 

Living Word a church in the area has also opened its doors to assist families that have been displaced.

Community members Natasha Grove says the support they have received from the community, has been overwhelming.

She says they’re still in dire need of more supplies.

The City of Tshwane says it will continue to assist those that have been displaced, just until they are up on their feet.  

“There will be some temporary structure that we will put up. We would normally put up tents when there is an emergency like this but for a certain period of time and people have to obviously start rebuilding their lives,” adds Msimanga.