Shack fire destroys 185 structures in Nomzamo; two deaths reported in separate incidents

A mobile Joint Operations Centre has been established in Nomzamo after a fire destroyed 185 informal structures on Saturday night, November 29, the City said.

The affected areas included Freedom Park, Ethembeni, Waterstone, and Happy Rest. A formal assessment found that 336 people were displaced by the blaze, according to Sonica Lategan, the spokesperson for the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRM).

Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers confirmed that it was actively assisting with immediate relief efforts, while the DRM was expected to forward a list of affected residents to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development for support, including food, clothing, blankets, and mattresses.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said a body was discovered on Sunday morning following the Nomzamo fire.

“There were a number of shacks that burned. No injuries were reported at the time. On Sunday, November 30, at 8am, members received a complaint of a person found in a burnt shack. An Inquest docket was opened for investigation. Currently, it is unknown how the fire started. Three persons were admitted to a medical facility for the treatment of burn wounds.” 

Meanwhile, Klapmuts police have opened a separate Inquest after a shack fire on Saturday, November 29, at around 3.15pm at the La Rochelle informal settlement in Groenfontein Road, Klapmuts.

“The body of an unidentified person was found amongst the debris after the fire department extinguished the fire. The body found was burned unrecognizably. Ten shacks burned down. It is unknown how the fire started,” said Captain van Wyk.

The DRM also responded to additional fire incidents in Fisantekraal, Dunoon, and the Vukuzenzele informal settlement in Nyanga over the weekend.