ONE person has died and more than 50 homes have been destroyed after a fire broke out at the Malacca Road Informal Settlement on Friday night (July 3).

It is believed the fire broke out in the home of the deceased, a man in his 50s, just before midnight.

The fire ravaged through the upper section of the Malacca settlement, destroying 55 homes and leaving families with just the clothes on their backs.

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The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Following the tragedy the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthekezi said they would be accelerating a provincial smoke alarm rollout to curb further winter tragedies.

The Seed Fund, a local NPO which works closely with the community, are co-ordinating efforts to help those affected.

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The PR councillor for Ward 110, Rowena Bosman, has also stepped in to assist those left homeless. 

“It has been heartbreaking to witness families scrambling to safety with little more than the clothes they are wearing, while the Fire Department works tirelessly to bring the roaring flames under control. The scene is one of anger, frustration and anguish,” she explained. 

Some of the items needed

* Clothing (all sizes)

* Blankets and bedding

* Non-perishable food

* Toiletries 

If residents would like to support the community contact Arianne (The Seed Fund) on 083 440 3126 or Rowena on 083 786 9645.

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