Devastating blaze leaves dozens homeless
Victims searched the rubble in vain in the hopes of salvaging any of their belongings.
THE mood was somber as dozens of destitute families scoured the rubble and ashes of a devastating blaze that ripped through the Gum Tree Road informal settlement on Wednesday night.
Despite their efforts, nothing seemed salvageable from the fire’s destruction.
According to ward councillor, Deochan Ganesh, more than 80 people have been left homeless after the fire. Approximately 26 shacks and two old, abandoned buildings were burned to the ground.
“The fire started at around 8pm and was quickly fanned by the strong winds. All of their belongings, including their documentation, have been destroyed,” he said. He confirmed that no injuries were reported. It is still unclear what started the blaze, he added.
The disaster management team was at the scene on Thursday morning and is planning to erect tents to home the victims until they are able to find permanent residences.
One of the victims, a 22-year-old student who did not want to be named, said she had not only lost her vital documentation and belongings, but also all of her study material.
A mother and her three children (twins aged four and an older sibling aged eight) were also among the victims.
