informal settlement

Johannesburg Emergency Services responded to the fire just after 00:00 and found the whole area affected. Photo: Pexels

Free State learners lose valuables, hostel gutted by fire

Learners were hospitalised after a fire broke out at the girl’s hostel at Dr Blok Secondary in Free State after a fire broke out.

informal settlement

Johannesburg Emergency Services responded to the fire just after 00:00 and found the whole area affected. Photo: Pexels

Fifty nine learners at the Dr Blok Secondary School in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, Free State had to be evacuated after a fire broke out at their hostel on Sunday, 5 June. 

The fire reportedly broke out at the school’s girl’s hostel block and caused extensive damage and learners lost their valuables. 

FREE STATE GIRL’S HOSTEL GUTTED BY FIRE 

Free State Education spokesperson, Howard Ndaba said all the learners were safely evacuated and overnight accommodation was arranged for the 59 learners. 

Ndaba said investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire. 

“Three learners are  under observation at Pelonomi hospital. The department will provide counselling to learners and the affected hostel staffers. 

“The department is appealing to individuals, religious organisations and NGOs to donate items such as blankets, mattress, toiletries, bedding, food, clothes, school uniforms as well as bags to help these needy learners.” 

Howard Ndaba

Free State Education  MEC Dr Tate Makgoe is expected to visit Dr Blok Secondary to assess the damage.

CLASSROOMS BURNT DOWN

Mphatlalatsane Combined School in QwaQwa, Free State might be forced to go back to rotational learning after four classrooms were torched and desks lost during the incident.

The incident happened on Saturday, 3 June and Makgoe has called on the community of Makwane Village in QwaQwa to help  in exposing the culprits. 

“There is prima facie suspicion that arson might have been committed here that is why we are calling on community members to assist law enforcement agencies in apprehending the alleged arsonists. 

“This act of burning and destroying school property is literally taking our province behind in terms of addressing infrastructure challenges at our schools.” 

MEC Makgoe

He said the school which has more than 1000 learners will experience overcrowding since four classrooms have been affected and they will be forced to go back to the rotational model to avoid overcrowding.

ALSO READ: Free State: Arson suspected after classrooms torched in Makwane Village