There are still people who need help after the Alex fire

The Sandton Fire Station has been identified as a drop-off point for essential items for those whose homes were ravaged by a fire in Alexandra.

The fire broke on 6 December and quickly spread through the township. It is estimated that hundreds of shacks were destroyed in the fire, however, the City of Johannesburg’s Emergency Services has yet to release an official number. There were no reported injuries or deaths from the fire.

Alexandra Police Station spokesperson, Stephen Malatjie, has confirmed that the man believed to have started the fire on has died. It is alleged that the man started the fire after he had a fight with his girlfriend. The man was then found by angry residents who wanted to stone him. He died in hospital in police custody in the early hours of 7 December.
According to Emily Thomas, the project manager at Gift of the Givers, the organisation has distributed thousands of food parcels and blankets to the victims and will be on site until residents finish rebuilding their homes. “We’ve registered more than 600 hundreds shacks that have been burnt down,” said Thomas.

Just before 4pm yesterday 3 fire engines & around 20 firefighters responded to a call of multiple shacks on fire @ Greenville informal settlement, in Alex. More than 150 shacks were razed, no reports of any injuries or fatalities.The cause of fire is under investigation #AlexFire pic.twitter.com/07uQ0nmCe6

— City of Joburg EMS (@CityofJoburgEMS) December 7, 2018

#AlexFire Collection points will be set up @Gautrain stations. Your support will be highly appreciated. Non-perishable foods, blankets, clothes, water, anything you would like to share with those who lost their homes in the devastating fire. This is the season to be giving.

— Gautrain (@TheGautrain) December 7, 2018

Those who would like to assist the community can drop off items at the Sandton Fire Station and the Alexandra Fire Station. Gautrain, as well as the Sandton SPCA, also notified community members on their social media pages that they would also act as drop-off points to assist those in need.

The following items are much-needed:

• Food, including tinned food, porridge, maize meal, baby formula and soup
• Toiletries, including soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste and sanitary pads
• School supplies, including stationery and uniforms
• Clothing, including shoes and underwear
• Blankets.

We would like to thank a number of teams on site in Alexandra, helping displaced families with shelter, food and blankets. Your support is highly appreciated 🙏 #AlexFire pic.twitter.com/GCCR29qbAI

— City of Joburg EMS (@CityofJoburgEMS) December 7, 2018

Details: Sandton Fire Station 011 375 5911.

Share how you can help on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page

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