News24 | Seventy people rescued as Durban informal settlement blaze destroys 40 homes

At least 70 residents were rescued when a fire ripped through shacks in Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban on Wednesday night.

• Around 70 residents were rescued after a fire destroyed more than 40 informal structures in Durban’s Kennedy Road settlement.
• Affected residents are being housed in a community hall.
• Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said immediate relief measures are being provided.

At least 70 residents were rescued after a fire ripped through their homes in Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban on Wednesday night.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said the fire, which broke out around 20:00, destroyed more than 40 informal structures.

“Disaster response teams received urgent calls from residents reporting a significant fire within the informal settlement,” he said.

He added that disaster response, police, and fire and rescue teams were at the scene.

“The incident resulted in over 40 shacks being destroyed, leaving many residents without shelter and having lost essential documents and personal belongings.

“A comprehensive investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the fire,” Mzila added.

No deaths were recorded.

The affected residents are being housed at a nearby community hall.

Mzila said the informal settlement was one of several in the province where the department had installed smoke alarms.

“These alarms played a crucial role in saving lives by providing early warnings to residents, allowing them to evacuate safely,” he said.

Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi applauded the teams for their rapid response.

He said the disaster management centre had alerted relevant departments and social partners to provide relief measures.

“These efforts will focus on providing immediate support to affected residents and assisting them in rebuilding their lives,” Buthelezi added.