Kamogelo Moichela|Published
One person has died after a devastating early-morning fire tore through more than 40 shacks at the Bagdad informal settlement in Salvokop, Pretoria West, on Saturday morning.
Authorities work to establish whether all residents have been accounted for.
The body was discovered among the rubble after emergency crews responded to the blaze, which threatened to spread to neighbouring structures in the densely populated settlement.
City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson and deputy chief Nana Radebe-Kgiba confirmed the death, saying the department received an emergency call during the early hours of Saturday.
“The city dispatched multiple emergency resources to the scene to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring structures and safeguard the lives of residents,” Radebe-Kgiba said.
More than 40 shacks were affected, according to preliminary information provided by emergency services.
However, the full extent of the damage and the number of residents affected had not yet been established.
Radebe-Kgiba said community members had been asked to help verify whether everyone living in the affected area had been accounted for.
Authorities had not confirmed whether anyone else was missing.
The City of Tshwane extended its condolences to the deceased’s family and loved ones as emergency personnel continued working at the scene.
Residents were urged to stay away from the affected area while officials carried out their duties.The public was also cautioned against circulating unverified information about the incident.
The department warned that closely packed structures in informal settlements can allow fires to spread rapidly.
Residents were urged to practise safe cooking and heating, keep flammable materials away from open flames and avoid unsafe electrical connections.
The cause of the fire had not been confirmed in the information provided by emergency services.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
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