Toddler dies as 23 Kuisebmond shacks burn
Nikanor nangoloWALVIS BAY
The latest shack fire claimed the life of three-year-old Immanuel Iyaloo Abisalom on Friday in Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay. Deputy police commissioner Erastus Iikuyu released the identity of the victim and said the next of kin have been informed.
“It’s alleged that the fire started after a minor boy residing in one of the destroyed ghettos [shacks] left a cooking pot unattended on a stove.
He locked the ghetto and left,” Iikuyu said.
He also confirmed that 111 residents were left homeless after 23 shacks on four properties were destroyed in the blaze. The flames, that were fuelled by the presence of a breeze, spread rapidly.
Storing flammable items
Walvis Bay fire chief Dennis Basson advised parents to ensure the safety of children in emergency situations.
“The mother of the child who died apparently lost sight of her child during the commotion.”
He also called on residents to be extra careful when storing highly flammable items. “We found diesel tanks, gas bottles and piles of wood stored on some premises. These items are endangering the lives of residents and can cause considerable destruction when a fire erupts.”
He also pleaded with community members to respect and protect fire hydrants.
“It is everyone’s duty. This is our first source of a constant flow of water when fighting fires. People are vandalising and selling the taps for scrap and this makes it tough for us to fight fires.”
Immediate relief
According to Basson, the municipality could provide immediate relief for the victims of the fire.
“After the blaze, a front-end loader was brought in and the area was cleared of rubble. Twenty-two tents were also pitched for the displaced people. Mattresses, blankets, food parcels and tins of fish were handed over. Emergency water lines with taps were installed and skip bins were deployed for the disposal of rubble,” he said.
He added that the swift response of the fire brigade prevented more damage. “Our response time was excellent. A municipal official who was at the scene when the fire started reported the fire through the proper channels. There was a strong wind that fuelled the flames. We managed to contain and extinguish the blaze.”
He, however, condemned the presence of a large group of bystanders at the scene and called on the police to avail more manpower to protect firefighters during incidents.
“They are hampering us to do our work and something must be done about this. Many of these persons do not do anything constructive but merely observe what’s happening. They converge, stand around and prevent us to get to the fire. People are also aggressive against us.”
The latest shack fire claimed the life of three-year-old Immanuel Iyaloo Abisalom on Friday in Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay. Deputy police commissioner Erastus Iikuyu released the identity of the victim and said the next of kin have been informed.
“It’s alleged that the fire started after a minor boy residing in one of the destroyed ghettos [shacks] left a cooking pot unattended on a stove.
He locked the ghetto and left,” Iikuyu said.
He also confirmed that 111 residents were left homeless after 23 shacks on four properties were destroyed in the blaze. The flames, that were fuelled by the presence of a breeze, spread rapidly.
Storing flammable items
Walvis Bay fire chief Dennis Basson advised parents to ensure the safety of children in emergency situations.
“The mother of the child who died apparently lost sight of her child during the commotion.”
He also called on residents to be extra careful when storing highly flammable items. “We found diesel tanks, gas bottles and piles of wood stored on some premises. These items are endangering the lives of residents and can cause considerable destruction when a fire erupts.”
He also pleaded with community members to respect and protect fire hydrants.
“It is everyone’s duty. This is our first source of a constant flow of water when fighting fires. People are vandalising and selling the taps for scrap and this makes it tough for us to fight fires.”
Immediate relief
According to Basson, the municipality could provide immediate relief for the victims of the fire.
“After the blaze, a front-end loader was brought in and the area was cleared of rubble. Twenty-two tents were also pitched for the displaced people. Mattresses, blankets, food parcels and tins of fish were handed over. Emergency water lines with taps were installed and skip bins were deployed for the disposal of rubble,” he said.
He added that the swift response of the fire brigade prevented more damage. “Our response time was excellent. A municipal official who was at the scene when the fire started reported the fire through the proper channels. There was a strong wind that fuelled the flames. We managed to contain and extinguish the blaze.”
He, however, condemned the presence of a large group of bystanders at the scene and called on the police to avail more manpower to protect firefighters during incidents.
“They are hampering us to do our work and something must be done about this. Many of these persons do not do anything constructive but merely observe what’s happening. They converge, stand around and prevent us to get to the fire. People are also aggressive against us.”
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