Some Marshalltown fire victims don’t feel safe in temp shelters provided by CoJ

JOHANNESBURG - Some Marshalltown fire victims who were recently moved to corrugated iron shelters in Denver said they do not feel safe, as the doors have no locks.

In August, a fire ravaged a five-storey hijacked building in the inner city of Johannesburg, killing 77 people and displacing hundreds.

To temporarily house the victims, the City of Joburg built 100 one-room corrugated iron structures and a few toilets on land meant to store impounded cars.

However, there is no access to electricity, and the victims have to share one communal tap for water.

They have been told that the arrangement is temporary, but a father of two, who asked to be kept anonymous, said he wouldn't be surprised if he is still there in the next few years.

“They've moved us to shacks. Some of them are still being built. We have no electricity, and my child is only four months old.

“Yesterday, I had to use open fire methods to cook, and I fear that our homes will be reduced to ashes again.”

But he said he appreciates the shelters, as he has no choice but to go where the municipality has placed them.