Hundreds of dwellers at the popular Dalton Hostel in Umbilo have been forced to occupy the pavements after a fire broke out in the residential units this afternoon.

The central hub of the establishment, the Beer Hall, was burnt to ashes, including adjoining units.

Prompt response by the fire department “rescued the decades-old establishment as the flames began to ravage”.

Ward 32 councillor Protas Mngonyama was at the scene together with private security companies, SAPS, and municipal teams.

“I received a call from the residents around 13:00, about a huge fire that broke out from one of the units, spreading aggressively.

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“As we are here, Disaster Management Unit will profile each person who is affected. After that we will meet to make a plan for the stranded people,” Mngonyama said.

Bukiwe Zothe has lived in Dalton for 16 years, and is among those whose unit was razed.

“We saw thick black smoke covering the area. We quickly ran out without taking any of our belongings. We’ve lost most of our personal stuff, and house contents,” she said.

“I was called from the nearby warehouse, to rush and remove my belongings because a fire broke out. I managed to remove everything. Luckily the fire was quickly contained,” said Zamani Jiba.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that the fire started from one of the units after the occupants left a candle alight and left. No fatalities were reported and an investigation is underway.

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