Durban North Informal Settlement Fire Claims One Life And Destroys 60 Shacks

One person has died after a devastating Durban North informal settlement fire tore through dozens of homes in the early hours of Saturday, leaving scores of families displaced.

The blaze swept through the Malacca Road Informal Settlement near Red Hill Cemetery, destroying at least 60 shacks. Emergency services responded swiftly, while investigators continue working to establish what sparked the fire.

Durban North Informal Settlement Fire Leaves Families Homeless

The Durban North informal settlement fire caused widespread destruction as flames engulfed dozens of structures before emergency crews managed to bring the situation under control. Officials confirmed that one person lost their life during the incident.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya praised the emergency teams for preventing an even greater disaster.

“Every second and every hour were dedicated towards the prevention of what could have been a severe devastation with many other lives lost,” Sibiya said.

Provincial Human Settlements officials visited the affected community on Saturday and are overseeing relief measures for residents who have lost their homes.

“Our ever-dedicated roving team is already closer to the situation and will ensure that residents are assisted.

“In particular, our thoughts are with children who have been exposed to the extreme cold temperature during this period,” Sibiya concluded.

Victim Identified After Durban North Informal Settlement Fire

Authorities have confirmed that the victim of the Durban North informal settlement fire has been identified. Community leaders and neighbours are assisting officials in locating the deceased’s relatives.

According to the provincial Department of Human Settlements, the deceased was known as Ntuli.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Eerste River Mother Speaks After Three-Year-Old Daughter Raped; Suspect Killed by Community

“Working with local community leaders and neighbours, we are searching for the relatives of the deceased who is known as Ntuli.

“We express our deepest condolences to the family,” stated human settlements spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya.

Durban North Informal Settlement Fire Revives Memories Of 2023 Tragedy

The latest Durban North informal settlement fire is the second fatal blaze to hit the settlement in the past three years. A similar incident in March 2023 also resulted in the loss of a life.

During that tragedy, a woman died after she was electrocuted while trying to escape the flames by stepping on an illegal electricity connection, according to the Northglen News.

The publication reported that she was the third person from the settlement to die in an incident linked to illegal electricity connections within four months.