Hundreds rebuild in the aftermath of devastating Clare Estate fire

The community of the Kennedy Road Informal Settlement in Clare Estate is picking up the pieces in the aftermath of a devastating fire that ripped through the settlement in the early hours of Saturday morning, destroying hundreds of dwellings.

The eThekwini Fire Department, whose officials reported were met with chaotic scenes as residents desperately attempted to extinguish the blaze with buckets of water, has launched an investigation to determine what caused the inferno.

Sipho Nongcawule, one of many residents whose home was razed to the ground, said he was awakened by the screams of his neighbours.

“Even though I lost almost all my belongings, I feel lucky to be alive. If I had not heard my neighbours calling out to alert us of the fire I would have been burnt alive. All I am left with now is my ID and a few clothes I managed to save before I ran out,” he said.

Nongcawule, who sustained burns to his right leg, stated that his primary task is to rebuild his dwelling but his injury is preventing him from earning an income.

Shop owner, Simthembile Njomi, who operated in the settlement, stated that he has lost stock worth tens of thousands of rands as a result of the fire.

“I had just restocked a few days before the fire. So all that money has burnt up and I’m left with nothing. I have no choice but to rebuild my home and my business because we don’t have anywhere else to go and there are no jobs out there,” said Njomi.

Thulani Kulakazi, who has lived in the settlement since 2016, stated that after a previous fire, residents were displaced for more than three months.

Ward 25 councillor, Mahommed Hassan Haniff, confirmed that they are working hard to help residents rebuild their dwellings.

“I have been in constant contact with residents through the ward committee member and been in contact with the Department of Human Settlements. Two truckloads of building material arrived at the settlement on Tuesday, one truckload was delivered on Wednesday and two more will arrive, on Thursday. But assisting all of the residents will take some time as we are dealing with 483 families that were affected, coupled with a backlog created by a fire from two weeks ago where 105 families were affected,” said Haniff.