Durban shack fire claims one life and destroys 60 shacks
The deceased has been identified only by the surname Ntuli, with authorities now working to locate the person's relatives.
One person has died and at least 60 shacks have been destroyed after a devastating fire tore through the Malacca Road informal settlement near Red Hill Cemetery in Durban in the early hours of Saturday morning.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said he was alerted to the tragedy by a community leader at about 4 am, prompting an integrated emergency response involving all three spheres of government.
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The deceased has been identified only by the surname Ntuli, with authorities now working to locate the person’s relatives.
“In the early hours of this morning we were contacted by a community leader in Malacca Road Informal Settlement Ward 110, around Red Hill Cemetery, alerting us about the death of one person in a devastating fire that destroyed 60 shacks,” said Duma.
He praised eThekwini Municipality’s emergency and disaster management teams for containing the blaze before it spread further.
Every second and every hour were dedicated towards the prevention of what could have been a severe devastation with many other lives lost.
Duma said officials were working closely with community leaders and neighbours to trace the victim’s next of kin.
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He confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the death are being investigated by the South African Police Service.
An intergovernmental team comprising officials from the provincial Department of Human Settlements, eThekwini Municipality’s disaster management and human settlements units, and the national Department of Human Settlements has already been deployed to the scene to assist affected residents.
“Our ever-dedicated roving team is already closer to the situation and will ensure that residents are assisted,” said Duma.
He added that special attention would be given to vulnerable residents affected by the fire.
“In particular, our thoughts are with children who have been exposed to the extreme cold temperatures during this period.”