Africa-Press – Namibia. A DEVASTATING fire gutted two shacks in just 10 minutes at Swakopmund’s DRC informal settlement on Friday.
The incident took place close to a venue where the National Council’s standing committee on health, social, and labour issues was scheduled to meet with the community.
A member of the community said instead of just talking, the politicians could have witnessed first-hand what challenges the community is faced with had the meeting started on time.
Erongo police spokesperson inspector Ileni Shapumba said no one was injured, but the shack owners lost all their possessions.
Despite the opening of a new fire station at DRC in December, the brigade arrived 10 minutes too late to save the shacks.
Municipal spokesperson Linda Mupupa said the incident took place during a change of shift.
“What happens during this shift change is the fire truck, which is at DRC, drives into town to the fire brigade’s headquarters with a fireman, and those who have to man the fire station at DRC then take over the truck and drive back to DRC.
“So when this incident happened, this change was taking place, hence the 10-minute delay,” Mupupa said.
Community members chased the fire brigade away when it arrived.
“Voetsek. You are always late!” some shouted.
One resident said: “We must pay you to help us, but we have to do the work to help ourselves, otherwise we will burn to death.”
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