Residents from Emagalini Abomvu near Sunnyridge were today picking up the pieces of what was left of their shacks after a fire burnt 30 shacks yesterday.
When the Dispatch visited the area today, there were no possessions left for some of the residents, just piles of grey and black zinc, and ash. People were seen retrieving zinc sheets and building new shacks.
Nombulelo Ketso, who lives with her husband and two sons, said they lost their car and all their household belongings . “It is such a bad situation to be in, my husband lost his car that he used to go to work with and all our clothing burnt in that fire.”
She said Ward 46 councillor Nceba Kilimani arranged for 150 survivors to spend the night at a community hall while some people asked for accommodation for the night around the neighbourhood.
For Buyiswa Nxanga the fire left her children aged five and 10 stranded after their school uniforms burnt.
“I was at home when I received a call that my place was on fire and I had to rush back home. By the time I arrived everything was burnt to ashes. My children’s uniform is gone and that is why they are not at school today.”
Wandile Mabulu, 26, said he lost his documents in the blaze. “I now do not have a matric certificate, we have lost our ID documents and this is going to be a long process for us in trying to get those documents back.”
Mziyanda Mene blamed illegal electrical connections for the fire. Those on the scene told the Dispatch that four dogs died in the fire.
Police spokeswoman warrant officer Hazel Mqala said they had not received information on any injured people from the blaze.