A devastating fire in Reservoir Hills has destroyed at least 80 informal dwellings, displacing numerous residents.
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At least 80 informal dwellings were destroyed when a fire swept through the Quarry Road West informal settlement on Thursday morning, displacing scores of residents.
According to eThekwini Fire Department district commander Sfiso Mtshali, emergency services received reports of structures alight along the M19 off-ramp to Reservoir Hills at about 9.50am.
“Upon arrival, approximately 80 informal dwellings were well alight, with the fire spreading rapidly in a westerly direction. Fire crews immediately deployed hose lines to contain and curb further spread,” Mtshali said.
“The brigade successfully halted further spread within the first 40 minutes, after which damping down operations commenced,” he said.
Mtshali confirmed that no injuries or fatalities had been reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Seven fire appliances were deployed, supported by Disaster Management and Law Enforcement teams.
Meanwhile KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya said MEC Sboniso Duma had received an initial report suggesting the fire may have started in a structure rented by a foreign national allegedly conducting welding work. He said the man has since disappeared.
He added that the MEC had called on the public to assist authorities with information.
“The MEC has made a call to the residents to come forward with information regarding the whereabouts of this foreign national who has since disappeared,” he said.
Sibiya said the MEC had deployed a team from his office to work with head of department Max Mbili, alongside eThekwini disaster management and human settlements teams, to accelerate interventions for affected residents.
“He is very worried that there are children affected,” Sibiya said.
He added that the provincial department is working with eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and local authorities to coordinate relief efforts, while disaster management teams remain on site monitoring the situation and assisting displaced residents.
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