Fire destroys 72 shacks in Aussenkehr
Homes reduced to ashes
Although no serious injuries or deaths were reported, the community lost all their belongings, with dozens left homeless.
Seasonal employees at grape farms at Aussenkehr along the Orange River have been devastated after a fire engulfed 72 thatched houses on Wednesday.
According to Namibian Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga, the fire broke out at around 16:00 at a thatched house in Block 5 and quickly spread to nearby houses.
"The wind blew and about 72 thatched houses were burnt to ashes. The fire was put out by the community members, police officers and with the help of water tanks from the grape companies," said Kuwinga.
No serious injuries or deaths were reported, but community members lost all their belongings, such as documents, food, clothes, blankets and mattresses, leaving them stranded with no place to sleep.
In late November last year, a fire at Aussenkehr claimed the life of 27-year-old Namibian Willem Shiyoleni. More than 30 families were left homeless in Block 6 after at least 30 thatched houses were destroyed in the blaze.
Decent housing
The fire has once again placed the state of housing for agricultural workers in Namibia under scrutiny.
Danie van Vuuren, of the Agricultural Employers' Association within the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), told Network Media Hub that the union has set minimum housing standards for farm workers as a guideline.
Although the table grape farms at Aussenkehr are not members of the union, Van Vuuren said "the NAU encourages farmers to take care of the welfare of farm workers, which includes proper housing, sanitation and water supply."
The sought-after Namibian export grapes are exported to international markets.
According to Namibian Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga, the fire broke out at around 16:00 at a thatched house in Block 5 and quickly spread to nearby houses.
"The wind blew and about 72 thatched houses were burnt to ashes. The fire was put out by the community members, police officers and with the help of water tanks from the grape companies," said Kuwinga.
No serious injuries or deaths were reported, but community members lost all their belongings, such as documents, food, clothes, blankets and mattresses, leaving them stranded with no place to sleep.
In late November last year, a fire at Aussenkehr claimed the life of 27-year-old Namibian Willem Shiyoleni. More than 30 families were left homeless in Block 6 after at least 30 thatched houses were destroyed in the blaze.
Decent housing
The fire has once again placed the state of housing for agricultural workers in Namibia under scrutiny.
Danie van Vuuren, of the Agricultural Employers' Association within the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), told Network Media Hub that the union has set minimum housing standards for farm workers as a guideline.
Although the table grape farms at Aussenkehr are not members of the union, Van Vuuren said "the NAU encourages farmers to take care of the welfare of farm workers, which includes proper housing, sanitation and water supply."
The sought-after Namibian export grapes are exported to international markets.
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