Alcohol played big role in informal settlement fires in CT - Gift of the Givers
More than 400 informal structures in Dunoon, Nomzamo, Kosovo in Philippi, and Masiphumele in Fish Hoek were destroyed over the festive season, with thousands of people displaced.
A number of homes were destroyed in a fire at the Wag 'n Bietjie informal settlement in Nomzamo, Strand. Picture: Supplied
CAPE TOWN - Humanitarian aid organisation, Gift of the Givers, says alcohol has played a big role in the summer fires which destroyed several informal settlements in Cape Town.
The organisation is urging residents living in informal settlements to avoid cooking when under the influence of alcohol.
Gift of the Givers said its teams were still providing assistance to informal settlement areas like, Dunoon, Nomzamo, Kosovo in Philippi, and Masiphumele in Fish Hoek.
More than 400 informal structures in these areas were destroyed over the festive season, with thousands of people displaced.
The humanitarian organisation's spokesperson, Ali Sablay, said that two people lost their lives so far in informal settlement fires.
"With your negligence, you are affecting thousands of people's lives, and when it comes to this time, those who stay in informal settlement, please do your cooking before, take extra precaution, rather cook outside not inside your structure. Cook in the open area where there's not so much danger to your structure and to those communities around you."