[Kuacjok, South Sudan, TCT] According to official authorities in Gogrial East County, at least 1,000 people have been left homeless after a devastating fire engulfed a village in Gogrial East county of Warrap State, South Sunda. The fire erupted in Pinydit payam on Sunday destroying up to 250 homes.
Speaking to TCT on phone from Gorgrial East County, Commissioner Daniel Anyuon Chan said that the fire began in a pit of rubbish that was burning nearby to the village. However, the Commissioner blamed villagers for negligence.
“I have been telling them to avoid sending children to bring fire. Also, if you are cleaning your compound, do not light fires during the day because of too much wind. It is dangerous during dry season like this in South Sudan. These are the instructions I gave them, but they did not seem to follow the guidance, which caused the disaster”, he emphasized.
The Commissioner said the displaced families are currently living in open spaces and are in needs of assistance.
“The fire burned 250 houses. The situation is bad, displaced families in the County are in dire needs of shelters and food. I am appealing to humanitarians agencies for assistance to the affected children, women and elderly people who are sheltering in an open place”, he said.
The State government and National government are preparing the disaster management institutions to come on ground for assessment, said the Commissioner.
A similar incident was reported in April 2012 where four children were reported to have died when a devastating fire broke out in Manyang Wunkuel payam [district], Gogrial West County, Warrap state. Several houses were destroyed and many families displaced.
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