One injured, dozens displaced in Mbekweni shack fire

Around 40 informal dwellings were destroyed in a fire that broke out at the Thembani Informal Settlement in Mbekweni on Saturday night, December 20, and left several families displaced.

Drakenstein Municipality’s Fire and Rescue Services responded to the blaze at around 9pm, shortly after attending to an earlier fire at Laborie Wine Estate in Paarl.

The municipality said on arrival, firefighters found multiple informal structures engulfed in flames. Emergency crews acted quickly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.

"Relief and recovery efforts have been activated. Care and support services are currently providing humanitarian assistance to families who have lost their homes, and municipal teams have commenced cleanup operations," the municipality stated. 

The municipality's fire chief, Wynand Els, confirmed that the municipality is working to secure essential support for displaced residents. He said the cause of the fire had not yet been determined and will be investigated.

One person sustained injuries during the incident and was treated for burn wounds and smoke inhalation.

Mr Els encouraged residents to handle electric appliances safely at all times and to report fires to the municipality as soon as possible. He also called on residents to cooperate with officials during the cleanup and recovery process.

Gift of the Givers Foundation's project manager, Ali Sablay, said their volunteers were helping with humanitarian relief.

"Hot meals are being distributed, and at the request of disaster management, bottled water will also be provided as temperatures continue to soar. Donations can be dropped off at the Gift of the Givers Depot, located at P1 Cavendish Square."