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A raging fire has destroyed 40 shacks and three houses in Parkridge in East London, leaving more than 100 people without shelter.
Buffalo City Municipality said fire-fighters battled to extinguish the blaze on Monday afternoon.
Municipality spokesperson, Samnkelo Ngwenya, said that the fire is “suspected to have been caused by illegal electric connections.”
He said Buffalo City Disaster Management officials were on-site to assist the 114 victims with their applications for a SA Social Security Agency social relief package.
“The victims will be supplied with blankets and accommodated at a nearby community hall,” he said.
Ngwenya said that the Municipality was also engaging with the Department of Health in order to screen the residents in order to isolate those that might be symptomatic.
He said a local supermarket chain provided food supplies and he’s also called on other businesses to assist.
