WATCH: Chopper ride reveals shocking Garden Route fire damage
This video illustrates the true extent of the damage inflicted on houses by the fire
Elias Xalipi might have lost everything in the fire that swept through Knysna but he hopes the rebuilding effort might create new opportunities for him. Like thousands of others‚ Xalipi loaded his family into his car and left his home‚ forfeiting all his belongings to the flames. This video illustrates the true extent of the damage inflicted on houses by the fire: But as the smoke clears and insurance loss adjusters arrive‚ he hopes unemployed builders like him will benefit. “We are going to build all of these houses again‚ I am a builder‚” said Xalipi‚ standing in the ruins of what was once his living room. His house was in White Location‚ an informal settlement where 200 families lost their homes. The neighbourhood has seen four ministers of the presidency‚ one deputy minister‚ the premier of the Western Cape‚ and many local and provincial government officials‚ and on Thursday President Jacob Zuma is expected to visit. Meeting in the Knysna mayor’s office on Wednesday‚ the Western...
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