Six people, including two firefighters and a young girl, sustained mild injuries in a fire that broke out in an informal settlement between Jan Fiskaal and Piet My Vrou Streets in Amstelhof, Paarl on Monday 16 December.
Close to 50 people were reportedly left destitute after the fire destroyed eight informal structures.
The Drakenstein Municipality in a statement said a man sustained injuries to his hand, two women were treated for smoke inhalation, and a young girl suffered from shock.
“One firefighter’s right hand was also injured due to stone throwing by the community, while another twisted his ankle.
“The municipality’s Fire and Rescue Services were at the scene six minutes after they received the call and extinguished the fire shortly before 22:00 last night.”
The municipality said its firefighting vehicles and crew at one stage had to withdrew when the community started throwing stones at them.
“They then had to wait in a holding area so they could be escorted to the scene of the fire by the South African Police Service and the Municipality’s Law Enforcement division.
“The Saps and Pops (Public Order Police) remained at the scene to ensure all participating agencies’ safety and to provide back-up if needed.”
The Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW), whose volunteer firefighters were also instrumental in containing the structural blaze, said it deployed three heavy duty pumpers, two cruisers and a total of 12 crew members to assist the municipality.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Those who wish to donate non-perishable items for the affected, can drop items off at the Paarl Fire Station.
