Cape blaze leaves four dead

A fire ripped tgrough the KTC informal settlement near Gugulethu on the Cape Flats this morning

Four people are said to have died in a fire that gutted more than a hundred shacks at the KTC informal settlement near Gugulethu on the Cape Flats early this morning. An eyewitness, Thabo Mfeketo, says an elderly woman and three children are believed to have died from smoke inhalation. Several other people suffered burn wounds.

Many of the families affected have also lost all their possessions. James Ruba, a mechanic, says a number of cars which were parked at his shack for repairs were also destroyed. He says his family has been left destitute.

Firefighters eventually extinguished the fire which gutted more than 100 shacks and left hundreds of people displaced. They are waiting for assistance from the Disaster management Unit. Disaster management spokesperson, Wilfred Solomons Johannes, says disaster relief will be provided at first daylight. "...Our services have been activated to provide the affected people with the necessary disaster relief."

An eyewitness, Thando Mfeketo, says the fire is believed to have started in a shack where traditional beer was being brewed. He also recalls emergency services only arriving at the scene long after the fire had already started.