Four people were injured and left destitute after a fire broke out at the Cemetery View informal settlement in Woodlands, east of Pretoria, in the early hours of Monday morning.

Tshwane emergency service spokesperson Deputy Charles Mabaso said the fire broke out at around midnight, burning an estimated 400 shacks.

“Firefighters arrived on scene to find multiple shack dwellings on fire, with flames more than 20m high,” he said.

“Multiple explosions of what is thought to be gas cylinder bottles could be heard during firefighting operations that were carried out during windy conditions.”

He said firefighters managed to contain the blaze at around 01:38 and only fully extinguished the fire at around 03:30.

Mabaso said an assessment was still underway to determine the exact number of shacks and households affected.

“Disaster management and social development officials are on the ground conducting the assessment and a local church is sheltering some of those affected.

“Three people, gender and age not yet determined, were transported by private ambulance services; one apparently in a critical condition and the other three in stable conditions.”

He said fire safety officials have been dispatched to determine the cause of the fire.

Over the years, the informal settlement and its neighbouring informal settlement, Plastic View, have been plagued by fires – some of which have claimed several lives.

The informal settlements, which are about a kilometre apart from each other, have experienced close to 10 fires between them since 2018.

Poor shack demarcations were often given as the leading reason why a single fire affects so many households at the informal settlements.

Meanwhile, NGO SA Care for Life has called for humanitarian aid in the form of food and blankets for the displaced people.

Posting on social media, managing director Sanet Fagan also pleaded with donors to help with clothing for both men and women, pots as well as bedding.

“The drop-off point is Lewende Woord Church or, if closer, 36 Freeland Avenue in Kilnerpark,” she wrote.

“Also WhatsApp me on 060 997 5257 for any questions.”