A fire devastated four informal structures, claiming the lives of a man, woman and a 3-year-old boy in Silvertown near the Lukhanyo Community Centre in Mbekweni, in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to a community member the fire swept through multiple structures occupied by a single family.
“Three people died, including a grandmother in her 70s, a man in his late 30s and a 3-year-old boy,” the source said. “It was deeply tragic, people were so stunned by the flames, no-one thought to take pictures.”
Drakenstein Municipality’s Director of Community Services, Gerald Esau, confirmed the incident to Paarl Post.
“The municipality’s Fire and Emergency Services received a fire call at 04:25 this morning, to which they swiftly attended,” he said. “Four informal structures were damaged in the fire. The South African Police Service and ambulance services were also at the scene.”
The municipality is said to have provided disaster relief to those affected. Esau stated the cause of the fire was being investigated and extended the municipality’s heartfelt condolences to bereaved family members and loved ones.
