Over the past five months, Boksburg in Ekurhuleni on the East Rand has beset by numerous fires.
In June, all three fire stations in the town were called out to deal with runaway grass fires in different locations, leaving a fourth fire unattended. Hot dry conditions were largely responsible for these fires. A motorcycle dealership also caught fire recently, causing hundreds of thousands of rands worth of damage and job losses.
Earlier in the year, 33 families were left destitute after a fire broke out in an informal settlement. Residents immediately sprang into action to extinguish the flames, but the fire quickly spread out of control. Eight shacks were completely destroyed before the fire department was able to extinguish the blaze.
Authorities warned against the dangers of leaving open fires, paraffin stoves and candles unattended. There is also concern over illegal and faulty electrical connections. Residents have been warned not to run extension cords across doorways or under furniture.
Fire victims were assisted by the local community, including SSVP Boksburg Conference, which collected two bakkie loads and a trailer full of clothes, blankets, pillows and household necessitites to the families who were left destitute.