About 24 people from Phumlani Village near Grassy Park have been left homeless after a fire ripped through their shacks on Tuesday morning.
Six shacks including a crèche in Merlin Road caught fire after a couple allegedly left a candle burning in their shack with no one home.
The victims, including young children and a six-month-old baby, are now staying with relatives and neighbours as they cannot afford to rebuild their homes.
According to the victims, the fire started just after midnight following an argument between a couple living in one of the burnt shacks.
Devastated survivors tell the Daily Voice they have not seen the couple since the incident.
Ryan Abrahams, 33, lives with his wife Jessica and seven-year-old son and says they lost everything including Jessica’s crèche which she ran as a source of income.
“We have lost everything and I am disappointed in the guys.
“We have had constant complaints with them about the noise and their actions. They do not sleep,” says Abrahams.
Another victim, Shafik Stallbaum, 33, says: “The couple was arguing at midnight and the woman ran away, the guy ran after her.
“I fell asleep and next thing I knew my girlfriend was telling me the place was burning.”
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City's Fire and Rescue Services, says 22 firefighters were dispatched and the fire was contained and extinguished at 2.35am.
“No injuries or fatalities were reported. The cause of the fire has not yet been established,” says Carelse.
Victims are appealing for help from the public to rebuild their lives.
Any form of donations from building material to clothing and food can be dropped off.
Nomzamo Yuku | [email protected]