DURBAN - More than 200 homes were gutted by the fire in the early hours of the morning on Sunday.
The municipality said emergency and fire personnel had their hands full when fire ravaged several shacks in Clare Estate, and there is still no known cause for the inferno.
"In winter, when temperatures drop, the city’s informal human settlements are very susceptible to fires that usually leave a trail of damage and sometimes even claim lives," said eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela.
There were no injuries or fatalities that were reported
Mayisela said disaster management teams had provided relief aid to the victims.
"Blankets and mattresses have been issued, and a feeding plan is being initiated," said Mayisela.
With the cause of the fire unknown, eThekwini Municipality is appealing to residents to heed fire safety precautions to prevent calamities.
- Parents must ensure that children do not lay their hands on anything that may start a fire.
- Smokers must desist from disposing off cigarette butts irresponsibly.
- Fires must be extinguished completely after using it.
- Refrain from connecting electricity illegally.
- Do not cook near materials that are likely to ignite a fire, such as curtains, and ensure that cooking stoves are on a stable surface to prevent them from falling over.
Mayisela added that dwellings must be built a reasonable distance apart to prevent fires from spreading.