http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/hundreds-homeless-after-kennedy-road-blaze-1.1270369
Hundreds homeless after Kennedy Road blaze
by Zama Nene and Kamcilla Pillay
Scores of homes were destroyed and two people received minor injuries after a fire spread through the Kennedy Road informal settlement on Tuesday night.
Residents stood watching as the fire engulfed their homes. A few had managed to salvage some of their belongings, carrying them on to the street, before the fire reached their shacks. Makhosi Zungu, carrying her six-month-old baby on her back, said she had to leave some of her belongings behind.
“The house below mine started burning and within minutes our house caught fire, we don’t know where we’ll sleep tonight,” Zungu said.
Bandile Mdlalose heaved a sigh of relief when her shack escaped harm and said she had seen the smoke and run outside.
“I’m sad my neighbours lost their homes, but I’m thankful my house was saved,” she said.
Local councillor, Bhekisani Ngcobo, said it was unclear what had caused the fire.
Those who had lost their homes would be housed at the community hall, he said.
Netcare911 spokesman, Chris Botha, said there were only two minor injuries.
Divisional commander, Owen Singh, of the Durban Central Fire Station said between 75 and 100 informal dwellings were affected.
“This caused panic and resulted in people trying to take whatever belongings they could salvage, and start running,” he said. He said illegal electricity connections compounded the threat.
Singh said the ward councillors and the eThekwini Disaster Management unit also arrived with blankets and other supplies.
The cause of the fire, he said, was still being investigated.
Note: Self-organised electricity connections, when carefully done, PREVENT FIRES, by doing away with the need to have open flames for light, cooking and heat. But when the state sends in men with guns to destroy them on a regular basis, or communities are not organised, it becomes more difficult to make these connections in an organised and safe way.