Thirteen families from Du Noon need help to rebuild their homes after a fierce fire destroyed all their belongings.
The fire broke out on Wednesday at about 2pm and according to the victims, it started at an upstairs shack and swiftly spread across the Ekuphumleni section at Usasaza Street, burning 13 structures.
Victims are aged between one year and 54 years old.
While children slept at different neighbours on Wednesday night, most of the parents sat around a fire throughout the night trying to keep warm.
Noluvuyo Quku, 40, a mother of four, lost everything and says: “It is confusing how the place got burnt because there was no electricity, we had loadshedding at the time and the man who was in the shack where it started has since disappeared.
“The worst part is the impact this has on our kids, most of them lost their school uniforms and books.”
Ntombi Dubase, 35, says they need anything from food, clothes, blankets, furniture and building material.
She says the fire has worsened their situation as most of them were already struggling due to unemployment.
“We have not eaten since the fire and our priority is the 15 children we have amongst us.
“They are confused and we as parents need to remain calm and focused while figuring out how we are going to provide them with homes again.”
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for Fire and Rescue Services, says the emergency call was received at 2.12pm.
“The fire was extinguished at 4.43pm and no injuries or fatalities were reported.”
If you would like to assist, call Ntombi on 071 057 9051.