Over 60 families were left
destitute on Thursday morning when a fire gutted an informal settlement in Kraaifontein.
Just after 9am, residents living in Mfeketo Street, Phase 9, in Wallacedene scrambled as flames swept through the
middle section of the informal settlement.
Luwellen Naude, 39, says only a handful of people managed to save their belongings.
“The fire started in the middle of the camp close to all those electrical poles.
"Everyone ran towards the fire, trying to douse the flames, but the south-easterly wind was too strong and the fire was spreading faster,” he says.
“Most people lost all their belongings, others managed to save a few items of furniture and other things.”
PANIC: Kraaifontein informal settlement in flames
City Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse says two firefighters were injured.
“At 9.24am, the City’s Fire and Rescue Service responded to informal structures alight in Mfeketo Street, Phase 9, Wallacedene,” he says.
“Brackenfell’s fire crew arrived first on the scene and reported numerous structures burning. Fire crews from as far as Belhar and Ottery came to assist.
“A total of nine firefighting appliances and 38 staff members were on the scene.
“One firefighter got injured and was taken to a nearby hospital, whilst a second firefighter was treated on scene.
“ A large number of structures was destroyed and persons were displaced.
“The fire was extinguished at 12.45pm.”