In an effort to minimise shack fire incidents in the informal settlements, Lumkani Company installed fire alarms to alert the community in Kanana informal settlement in Gugulethu on Sunday 16 April.
Lumkani is a company based in Woodstock and specialises in installing fire alarms to detect smoke in the house.
More than 60 shacks have already installed the alarm.
Speaking on behalf of the company Nomfundo Charlie described the initiative as a solution to the shack fire incidents in South Africa.
She said they aim to minimise fire incidents, especially in the informal settlements.
Charlie said the fire alarm can detect the smoke from about 10 metres away. “This is the best way to stop a shack fire because once the alarm has detected that there is smoke in the house it rings. And it doesn’t wait for the fire to come closer,” said Charlie.
She stated that the installation of the device is R70 only and there is R70 monthly insurance premium.
“Since the City doesn’t provide any building material anymore for shack fire victims. Our company will give you cash or material to the amount of R40 000. It depends on the shack fire victim what she or he wants,” she related, adding that the premiums are affordable to accommodate everyone.
Resident Noluthando Gazi described the fire alarm as the best way to save their shacks from fire. She said the alarm is affordable to everyone. “I installed it for our safety. Anything can happen in informal settlements. The fire alarm will help and alert us about the fire while it is at a distance,” she said.
Ward 40 councillor Bongani Ngcombolo described the project as helpful.
He said many people lost their belongings during a shack fire because no one alerted them.
“The device is affordable and helpful. Sometimes a shack fire starts at night while people are sleeping and when they wake up the fire is so close they are unable to take out their belongings. And they end up losing everything,” said Ngcombolo.
He urged people to not cook while intoxicated.