Number of homes gutted by New Rest informal settlement fire rises to 360 - govt
The blaze tore through the informal settlement over the weekend, killing two people.
Aftermath of a fire at the New Rest informal settlement in Wellington, Western Cape. Picture: Gift of the Givers.
JOHANNESBURG - The human settlements ministry said the number of homes gutted by a fire in New Rest informal settlement in the Western Cape has risen to 360.
The blaze tore through the informal settlement over the weekend, killing two people.
Initial reports stated that 200 structures were burnt down, leaving at least 800 residents homeless.
Officials responsible for emergency housing from the Department of Human Settlements in the province are on the ground, assisting affected residents.
"The Drakenstein Local Municipality has informed the national Department of Human Settlements that 200 informal structures might have been affected by the blaze," said ministry spokesperson Tsekiso Machike.
"However, the current combined list of people that have come forward has a total of 360 structures that have been affected. This has been verified by the two spheres of government."