Illegal electricity connections, abuse of alcohol, and interference of bystanders when firefighters are at work, are counted among the major causes of an alarming increase in residential fire incidents in Cape Town.
This follows the city’s release of its latest statistics for the 2023/2024 financial year on Thursday.
According to the city, over 4,000 residential fires have been recorded with over 200 deaths in the same period.
It said there’s been a significant increase of 27% in formal residential areas and a 15% increase in informal settlement structures.
Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith: “The statistical trends around fire fatalities are a stark reminder that many fires are the result of negligence, tied to alcohol abuse, and often with devastating consequences.
“These dangers have been highlighted time and again, but it bears repeating if you are going to drink or use drugs, stay away from anything that is flammable, whether cooking or using candles for lighting, or even smoking a cigarette, especially in bed.”
-EWN
In other news – Maps Maponyane reacts to reports he’s marrying ex-Miss SA Shudu Musida
Congratulatory messages are to Maps Maponyane on his ‘engagement’ to former Miss SA Shudu Musida. Except, the announcement of the news – via a publication – is the first he has heard of it.
Despite keeping their romance on the low, the beauty queen and the screen star have been romantically linked since 2022. Earlier this year, the “couple” went on a baecation to the Seychelles. Last month, fans speculated that Maps had “soft-launched” his romance with Shudu, who was his date to the Durban July. Read More
