About 35 families of Overcome Heights in Vrygrond are trying to rebuild their homes after a devastating fire destroyed all their belongings early on Friday morning.
According to a resident, people were sleeping when the fire started at around midnight on Thursday inside a shack and quickly spread across the informal settlement.
Traumatised mom, Hlumisa Valelo, explains: “Apparently someone went out to pee, and there was a fire at one shack just a few meters from us, and she shouted ‘fire, fire’ as she knocked for the lady at the shack where it started.
“When we eventually heard the noise and roused from our sleep, we rushed out but not much could be done.
“The wind was blowing and the blaze was just spreading all over the place.
“I grabbed my one-year-old baby as my husband was taking our other children out.
“We couldn’t save anything. We had to choose lives over our valuables.
“It’s been tough, I am exhausted, I can't even think straight.
“I wish we could receive help to rebuild our homes and clothe the kids.”
She says most of the affected victims are employed and some run small businesses from their homes.
Jermaine Carelse, the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services, says: “Approximately 35 firefighters from various fire stations battled the blaze that was fanned by a strong wind for hours and eventually extinguished it at 3.12am.
“No injuries or fatalities were reported. As per Disaster Risk Management 79 people are affected.”
The cause of the fire was not known.
If anyone can assist the victims with building material, clothes and food, they can be reached on 076 375 9863 or 071 090 3271.