One person has been killed and more than 250 people left homeless following fires at two informal settlements in the Cape Peninsula.

Disaster Managment spokesperson, Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, says one person was burnt beyond recognition when a fire swept through the Wallacedene informal settlement near Kraaifontein.

Thirteen shacks were gutted and 55 people displaced. Solomons-Johannes says in the second incident, 200 people were left homeless at Site B in Khayelitsha, when 60 dwellings were gutted.

He says the causes of the fires are unknown but authorities are investigating.  He added that disaster management is on the scene to assist the people with the necessary relief aid.