Fire rips through Blackburn Village informal settlement
It's believed the fire may have been caused by an illegal electricity connection.
AROUND 50 families have been left homeless after a fire tore through the Blackburn Village Informal Settlement. It’s believed the fire may have been caused by illegal connections but the details have not been confirmed by firefighters at the scene. According to uMhlanga councillor, Heinz de Boer there were no injuries or fatalities.
“About 30 shacks were burnt down in the blaze. Around 50 families have been left homeless by the fire. I’m appealing to the North Durban community to help donate any items that could help those affected by the fire. To help the community get back on its feet, I’m urging residents to donate food, clothes, blankets and other non-perishable items. I will be making as many trips to the settlement this week to help the residents,” he said.
Contact De Boer on 083 355 2343 if you would like to donate.
According to Bheki Hadebe, divisional commander of the Umhlanga Fire Department, firefighters are still currently containing the blaze at the settlement.
“We managed to stop the fire from spreading, we’ve been here for quite some time battling the blaze which broke out just after midday. At this stage there are no injuries,” he said.
