http://www.capeargus.co.za/?fSectionId=3571&fArticleId=nw20100705140902473C119843

Two die in Durban shack fire
5 July 2010, 14:16

Two people died and 2000 people were left homeless when up to 500 shacks burnt down at the Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban, police said on Monday.

Colonel Jay Naicker said it was unclear how the fire started on Sunday, but it was thought to have been caused by an overturned paraffin stove or an illegal electrical connection.

The fire department was investigating, he said.

The fire was the fifth at the informal settlement this year, the shack dwellers’ association Abahlali basemjondolo said in a statement, adding that 200 shacks were destroyed in a fire there in April.

It said the only reason for the fires was the lack of electricity, which was a failure by the municipality to provide services.

Abahlali said it held a protest in March during which it raised its concerns, but had yet to receive a response from the government.

Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba also urged the province and municipality to responding to residents’ housing needs and their other long-standing concerns.

On Monday, the African National Congress conveyed its condolences to the families of those who died. – Sapa