Relief coordination is underway for residents of the Plastic View Informal Settlement after a second deadly fire struck the community within six days, killing a 13-year-old child and destroying more than 100 homes.
Tshwane Emergency Management Services (EMS) confirmed the child’s death this morning following a blaze that ignited around 8:00 p.m. yesterday evening. The fire displaced approximately 340 residents across 86 households. This incident follows a similar fire over the weekend that also claimed one life and left many homeless. Investigations into both fires remain ongoing.
An EMS spokesperson said disaster management teams are conducting on-site assessments and verifications of displaced households. “We have just had a meeting with the city’s departments—Human Settlements and Social Development—and we are coordinating efforts to ensure that the displaced do get the assistance that they require,” the spokesperson stated. Immediate relief priorities include providing mattresses and meals, with NGOs being engaged to support distribution.
Despite the devastation, residents began rebuilding almost immediately. “People are trying to build their places to sleep in as of tonight,” a community observer reported, noting that many fear losing their residential plots if they delay reconstruction. Community leaders are compiling registers of affected households to better coordinate aid for food, blankets, and clothing.
Aubrey, a representative from the Mahlasedi Foundation assisting at the scene, described the situation as “devastating,” particularly given the back-to-back nature of the disasters. “We’ve been dealing with the consequences since Sunday—handing out blankets, mattresses, clothes, and food parcels. But even today we realized we can’t even be bringing food parcels because there’s nowhere to cook,” Aubrey said.
Aubrey noted that local NPOs are mobilizing independently, as government officials have not yet reached out to coordinate with civil society groups. “At the moment it’s local NPOs that are just coming together to see what we can contribute.” The foundation also highlighted that children, including learners from Borch Corp School, were unable to attend classes due to trauma and the loss of school uniforms.
On the cause of the fires, the EMS spokesperson shared preliminary findings. “When we arrived here yesterday, we got information from the community that the fire had started because of a gas cylinder that was leaking.” Subsequent investigation confirmed a gas cylinder ignited the most recent blaze. Regarding the weekend fire, community members reported an unattended candle as the likely cause, though official confirmation is pending.
The spokesperson emphasized ongoing public education initiatives: “We are teaching them how to use any of the heating devices in a safer way. A gas cylinder cannot be left unattended… We are teaching parents to be vigilant not to leave their kids unattended.” The widespread use of highly combustible building materials in the settlement was cited as a factor that accelerates fire spread.
The family of the deceased 13-year-old—a primary school student according to community accounts—is enduring profound grief. The father and a younger sibling are hospitalized with significant burn injuries; the mother, the only family member not injured, is with them at the hospital. An uncle of the family spoke to aid workers, confirming the severity of the injuries and the family’s emotional distress.
As evening approaches, many displaced residents face uncertain sleeping arrangements. Some are staying with neighbors in already-crowded shacks, while others have no shelter at all. Community members and NGOs continue working side by side, documenting needs and distributing available aid while awaiting broader, coordinated government support.