Shack fires leave two DRC families without homes or belongings
Two separate fires in the DRC informal settlement of Swakopmund on Friday and Monday razed the homes and destroyed all personal belongings of the affected inhabitants, leaving them devastated.
According to an investigation, both fires – on 7 and 10 February, respectively – resulted in the complete destruction of household contents, including electrical appliances, food supplies, clothing and vital identification documents such as ID cards and birth certificates.
The cause of both fires remain undetermined, according to fire investigation reports issued by the Swakopmund municipality.
According to the statement, the first fire in DRC’s ‘Wag Daar’ section followed after a resident had left his shack to buy meat and returned to find smoke billowing from his home, which was engulfed in flames.
The Swakopmund Fire Brigade responded swiftly, but the fire had already reached a fully developed stage. Firefighters managed to contain and extinguish the blaze before it spread to nearby structures.
No injuries or fatalities were reported in either case.
Take extra precautions
Swakopmund municipal chief of emergency and disaster management services, Bainga Matengu, emphasised the importance of fire safety awareness in the community.
“Fire safety and prevention measures should always be adhered to,” he said. “We urge the community to participate in fire prevention awareness programmes to reduce the risk of such incidents.”
He encouraged residents to take extra precautions, especially in informal housing areas, where fire hazards are heightened due to the use of open flames, paraffin stoves and other combustible materials.
According to an investigation, both fires – on 7 and 10 February, respectively – resulted in the complete destruction of household contents, including electrical appliances, food supplies, clothing and vital identification documents such as ID cards and birth certificates.
The cause of both fires remain undetermined, according to fire investigation reports issued by the Swakopmund municipality.
According to the statement, the first fire in DRC’s ‘Wag Daar’ section followed after a resident had left his shack to buy meat and returned to find smoke billowing from his home, which was engulfed in flames.
The Swakopmund Fire Brigade responded swiftly, but the fire had already reached a fully developed stage. Firefighters managed to contain and extinguish the blaze before it spread to nearby structures.
No injuries or fatalities were reported in either case.
Take extra precautions
Swakopmund municipal chief of emergency and disaster management services, Bainga Matengu, emphasised the importance of fire safety awareness in the community.
“Fire safety and prevention measures should always be adhered to,” he said. “We urge the community to participate in fire prevention awareness programmes to reduce the risk of such incidents.”
He encouraged residents to take extra precautions, especially in informal housing areas, where fire hazards are heightened due to the use of open flames, paraffin stoves and other combustible materials.
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