The number of fires in informal settlements has not declined even though there has been an increase in access to electricity as a safer energy source. This is according to a new study conducted by Alberto Francioli, a Master’s student at Stellenbosch University (SU).
In a press release by SU, Francioli said, “While electricity is the predominant energy source used, households may be unable to fully utilise it because of financial constraints or issues regarding physical [sic] accessibility to and quality of electrical connections.”
Francioli said that many of these households earn less than R3000 a month, as a result, households with a large number of people are unable to meet the high demand for electricity use. This, in turn, forces low-income households to still rely on cheaper energy sources such as paraffin and firewood.
Paraffin is a popular energy source, not only due to its low cost, but also due to the ease with which it can be exchanged. Families often carry paraffin in empty water bottles which can be shared between neighbours.
Francioli says this is problematic as paraffin mixed with the water residue often found in plastic bottles causes the chemical composition to change, making it more explosive.
This is particularly concerning as these paraffin stoves often spew fire. Francioli says that these cheap and poorly made paraffin devices from China, are far below the South African safety standards and are a major fire risk.
Fires devastate low-income communities as there are no measures in place to keep dwelling fires under control until the Fire Department arrives. PHOTO: Facebook
Although Francioli argues that electricity is a far safer source of power, he admits that within these low-income communities the electrical connection points are poorly maintained.
This often leads to power cuts in the area, as the infrastructure cannot cope with the demand. These power cuts also serve as a fire risk when the electrical points get overloaded as they may release sparks, this is what happened to Patrick Setona, a resident of Kayamandi.
A typical electricity connection point in Stellenbosch is far less cluttered than those in low-income communities. PHOTO: Casey Delport
Setona said that he was contacted by his neighbours to inform him that an overloaded electrical connection point had caused a fire at his home. According to Setona, the fire was extremely volatile, causing 25 shacks including Setona’s to burn down.
Francioli said that one of the major reasons these electrical points get overloaded is due to households illegally connecting to electrical access points. Furthermore, he said that many of the wires connected in this manner are uncovered which is especially dangerous during the rainy season. Contact with water on exposed electrical wires not only leads to unexpected power cuts but also to dangerous sparks which may cause fires.
Illegal electricity connections are common in low-income communities not only in South Africa, but across the world. PHOTO: Creative Commons
Craig James Van Reenen, Deputy Fire Chief at the Stellenbosch Fire Department spoke about some of the challenges the department faces in fighting fires in low-income communities such as Kayamandi. Van Reenen explained that the initial response by the department depends on the caller as the responsibility to report the incident lies with them.
According to Van Reenen this is often difficult as residents may not have access to phones or airtime. He also said that residents often phone the incorrect emergency number which delays the department’s response time, “They call the wrong number and blame me for coming late.”
“When you get there, you have 500 people shouting and swearing at you asking what took so long,”
This view is shared by Francioli, who found that the relationship between residents at state subsidised (RDP) houses and the fire department, were far better. In contrast, the relationship between the department and residents of more informal parts of low-income communities is more hostile.
“When you get there, you have 500 people shouting and swearing at you asking what took so long,” said Van Reenen. When asked how he deals with this strained relationship between the Fire Department and the residents of low-income communities, Van Reenen replied, “I do exactly what I always do, I apologise.”
Numbers to remember in case of a fire:
808 8888- To directly contact the Stellenbosch Fire Department.
112(for cellphones)- A toll-free emergency line who will put you through to the relevant department.
107(for landlines)- A toll-free emergency line who will put you through to the relevant department
– Casey Delport and Judy Philander