MORE than 230 people have been left homeless after a fire ripped through the NCP Informal Settlement in Sea Cow Lake on Wednesday afternoon (November 27).

While there were no fatalities, two teenage girls were treated for smoke inhalation as firefighters battled strong winds for close to four hours to extinguish the fire.

On Thursday morning, members from eThekwini Municipality’s Disaster Management, together with Gift of the Givers and the Al-Imdaad Foundation, began relief efforts to help those displaced by the fire.

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In a statement, the City said the cause of the fire had yet to be determined.

“Around 165 structures were destroyed, leaving 238 residents displaced. The fire also affected electrical wiring across the informal settlement. Various municipal departments, businesses and non-governmental organisations are on-site to provide humanitarian relief to those affected. The Department of Human Settlements will also visit the area and assist with temporary shelter while permanent assistance is being organised,” the City said.

Reagan Gunkel, divisional commander of eThekwini Fire and Emergency Services northern region, said they received a call at about 12:00.

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“When firefighters arrived on scene, they found between 50 and 100 informal dwellings completely engulfed in flames. Crews worked hard to keep the blaze under control under trying conditions of heavy winds and rain. Six fire engines were required to fight the blaze to bring it under control. No fatalities were recorded, but two young girls, aged 16 and 17, were treated for smoke inhalation by Emergency Response Services (EMRS),” he said.

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