Mercury: 200 homeless as fire destroys shacks

http://www.themercury.co.za/?fSectionId=&fArticleId=nw20100420185640671C426870

200 homeless as fire destroys shacksfire,
20 April 2010, 19:04
By Sinegugu Ndlovu

The ground was a mass of black ash and the stench of charred debris filled the air at Durban’s Cato Crest informal settlement after the fourth fire at the settlement this year destroyed about 200 shacks and left more than 100 destitute on Tuesday.

Two people sustained minor injuries in the blaze, which started when an unattended paraffin stove exploded at about 7.30am. Some people had already left for work school when the fired started and returned to the scene after being alerted by neighbours to try to salvage their belongings.

However, many were left with only the clothes on their backs. People cried out while watching helplessly as their property went up in flames. Identity documents, matric certificates, bank and social grant cards were among the important items lost.