Residents of Siqalo informal settlement near Mitchells Plain tried in vain to save their belongings from a fire that left about 10 families homeless yesterday.
Resident Abongile Mili, who was left destitute, said the fire started after 8am when her neighbour allegedly left a stove unattended.
Mili said all her belongings were burnt, including school uniforms of her two children aged 10 and 8.
When the Cape Times visited the scene yesterday, a pile of twisted zinc, blackened metal frames and some gutted electrical appliances were all that remained.
Residents were clearing the debris, waiting for the city to furnish them with building material.
Another resident, Ndimphiwe Yephu, said it was difficult to deal with the fact that he had to start from scratch.
“For this to happen at this time of the year is very bad, I will struggle for the rest of the year. Most people around here are using paraffin or gas stoves to cook and it is
dangerous,” he said.
The city’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Theo Layne, said firefighters responded at 8.16am with two fire engines, a water tanker and a rescue vehicle.
He said the cause of the fire was unknown. He urged residents to use paraffin stoves safely and be cautious around open flames.
“Make sure candles are secure and can’t fall over. Don’t go to sleep with candles still burning. Keep a bucket handy to fill with water so you can extinguish flames easily.
“Keep a bucket of sand nearby to put out paraffin fires. Build dwellings at least 3m apart to stop fires spreading. Have an escape plan and make sure the family knows the plan,” said Layne.