Durban -
One person was treated for smoke inhalation and more than 200 were left destitute as a blaze, fanned by strong winds, razed about 100 shacks at the Siyasokola informal settlement in Kenville on Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear what started the fire, but those in the area said they suspected it might have been an illegal electricity connection.
The person who had been overwhelmed by smoke was treated by the paramedics on the scene and released.
Witnesses said they tried to douse the fire with buckets of water, but in vain.
“The fire started in the houses at the lower part of the settlement at around 12 midday. It was fanned by the winds and grew stronger and stronger.
“We used buckets to throw water to it, but that did not work,” said Christopher Makhaye.
“Many people lost everything they owned because they were at work.”
Nhlanhla Mbili, a ward committee member in the area, said many people had been left destitute.
He said since 2004, they had had a fire almost every year.
“We estimate there must have been 100 houses and more than 100 people affected because in some cases people live three or four people in one small room.
“What we are asking for now is assistance for all these people who have been left without anything.
“There are people coming from work to find that their homes have been destroyed and there are children coming from school finding that they have no homes,” said Mbili.
Divisional commander Dennis Govender of the Pinetown fire office said it was not clear what started the fire.
“It took about two and a half hours to put the fire out.
“We had three fire engines and two water carriers on scene,” he said.
The Mercury