News24 | ‘We lost everything’: Masiphumelele fire leaves one dead, 80 displaced

Around 80 residents have been displaced after a fire tore through an informal settlement in Masiphumelele, Cape Town.

•  One person has died and around 80 residents were displaced after a fire in Masiphumelele, Cape Town, early Monday morning.
• Firefighters responded to the blaze on Masemola Street with multiple crews.
• Gift of the Givers is providing aid to affected residents and supporting relief operations in the community.

One person has died and around 80 others have been displaced after a fire tore through an informal settlement in Masiphumelele, Cape Town, in the early hours of Monday morning.

City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said firefighters responded to reports of informal structures alight in Masemola Street.

Several fire crews were dispatched to the scene.

“One person is confirmed to have died; however, their age and gender are unknown at this stage,” he said.

“The South African Police Service will investigate the cause of the fire.”

According to Carelse, one formal and about 20 informal structures were destroyed, leaving roughly 80 people displaced. The fire was fully extinguished just after 10:00.

Resident Zuko Nqabeni said he woke up to screams as neighbours tried to alert others to the blaze.

“The fire started behind my shack. We lost everything and we don’t even know where we’re going to sleep tonight,” he said.

Nqabeni said the fire began in one of the nearby structures.

“Everyone is devastated. The whole yard where my place was is completely burned,” he added.

Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers is currently on-site providing aid to affected residents.

“Emergency services have cordoned off the site as forensic teams work to retrieve the body of a male victim who tragically lost his life in the fire. Our teams are providing immediate humanitarian assistance to those affected and will continue to support the community with relief operations over the coming days,” said Gift of the Givers project manager Ali Sablay.