At least 18 shacks were destroyed in a fire at Mpetha Square informal settlement in Nyanga, which left more than 40 people homeless yesterday(Thursday 22 January). The cause of the incident was unclear at this stage.
Dumisani Qwebe, a community leader and Nyanga Community Policing (CPF) secretary, described the situation in the area as horrible. He said many shack-fire victims were left with nothing. “Only three families were able to carry their belongings out during the inferno. Most of the residents were at work when the fire started.”
Qwebe urged the community to donate whatever they have to the shack fire victims.
Shack-fire victim Sisa Dunjana said he lost everything in the flames. “I was at Junxion Mall in Philippi when the incident started. When I arrived my shack had burnt down. I don’t know what to do. I’m staying with a friend of mine at present.” He added all he needed was building material to rebuild his shack.
The City’s Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said the incident was reported at 15:00 on Thursday 22 January, that informal structures off Sithatu Drive, Nyanga were on fire. “Crews from Gugulethu, Lansdowne and Mitchells Plain were on the scene. Firefighters had extinguished the blaze by 16:20, leaving approximately 18 structures destroyed and 48 people displaced.” He added that no injuries had been reported and the cause had yet to be determined.
