Despite the increase in the numbers of dwellings in informal settlements, the City’s Fire and Rescue Service recorded fewer fires in informal settlements in 2009 compared to previous years.

During the course of 2009, a total of 3 780 individual informal dwelling units out of approximately 84 000 were affected by fires.

The causes of the fires vary from the illegal use of electricity to malfunctioning heating and cooking devices. Isolated cases of arson have also been recorded.

“If one takes into context the number of dwelling units affected in 2005, which was recorded at 8 864, then the City has gone a long way to reducing this by more than half over the last four years, and we will strive to reduce it even further over the years to come,” says Ian Schnetler, Chief Fire Officer for the City.

To educate people about the dangers of fires, the City’s Disaster Risk Management Department distributes awareness pamphlets to informal settlement areas prior to and during the fire season. This campaign works in tandem with an appeal to employers of people who might live in informal settlements to help spread the awareness message. “Such people can make a big difference in a small way. By taking five minutes to discuss fires and the dangers thereof with their employees, they might just save a life,” says Schnetler.

In an attempt to improve the City’s fire fighting ability in informal settlements and to alleviate the effect of densification in these areas, which make it difficult for Fire Services to access fires in the fastest possible time, seven new fire engines (with 4 x 4 capabilities) were acquired late last year. These have been specifically designed to assist fire fighters in mountainous and informal settlement areas. Disaster Risk Management staff are carrying out pro-active inspections of informal and other areas to recognise risk areas and pre-plan effectively.

The City has repeatedly appealed to members of the public to be careful of starting fires, to be vigilant and to report fires if they spot them. “Many people are reluctant to report fires because they think that someone else has done so. The faster a fire is reported, the faster the City can respond,” says Schnetler.

There are also prohibitions in place on the making of fires in the open air across the Western Cape, due to extraordinary fire hazards. This includes the burning of rubbish or any other material for purposes of disposal – this action is illegal.

Fires can occur anywhere – in informal settlements and in formal structures. To reduce the risk of fires, please note and apply the following tips: 

• Every home needs at least one exit route which will enable the occupants to escape should a fire break out 
  
  
• Keep matches, lighters, paraffin and poisons in a safe place that is not accessible to children 
  
  
• Keep stoves on a flat surface, away from draughts and anything that could catch fire 
  
  
• Open fires and stoves should never be left unattended 
  
  
• Extinguish candles and paraffin lamps before you go to sleep or leave your home 
  
  
• Smoking in bed is dangerous 
  
  
• Keep a bucket of water and a bucket of sand ready to extinguish any fires that break out 
  
  
• If a paraffin stove catches alight, extinguish the flames with sand rather than water 
  
  
• Turn off the electricity at the mains before trying to extinguish an electric fire