Residents say they had the worst Christmas. Photo by Misheck Makora
ABAHLALI of Du Noon, Cape Town, faced a devastating Christmas Day as a fire engulfed their shacks early in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 25 December.
The blaze, which erupted at about 2am, destroyed about 200 shacks, leaving hundreds homeless.
Noluthando Ntantiso (36) shared her ordeal with Daily Sun: “I had marinated the meat to braai on Christmas Day, but the fire destroyed everything. It’s the worst Christmas ever. My kids lost their new Christmas clothes we bought at Century City the day before, on Tuesday. They cried when they realised our home was on fire.”
Residents suspect a drunken mishap might have sparked the fire.
Residents of Du Noon had all their Christmas preparations consumed by huge flames. Photo by Misheck Makora
Residents say the lost everything in the fire. Photo by Misheck Makora
“People drink a lot during the festive season, and we suspect someone might have fallen asleep while warming food. We’re not sure what happened,” said resident Cikizwa Njwele.
Fire and Rescue spokesman Jermaine Carelse reported receiving fire alerts at the Ekuphumleni informal settlement in Du Noon at about 1.55am. The fire was contained by 5.45am, with more than 200 structures destroyed.
ALSO READ: PICS: Flames ate our Christmas food and clothes!
More than 70 fire personnel and 15 fire engines responded to the incident. One man sustained injuries.
Sonica Lategan, City of Cape Town’s Disaster Management spokeswoman, confirmed coordination with city departments, external partners, and humanitarian partners for relief and response efforts.
Residents expressed gratitude for food assistance from the Gift of the Givers but remain concerned about a lack of building materials.
Residents say the lost everything in the fire. Photo by Misheck Makora
In addition to the Du Noon fire, seven structures were destroyed in the Freedom informal settlement in Nomzamo, Strand, at about 3.50am., leaving about 17 people homeless.
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