Collection started for victims of Effingham shack fire
It is unclear what started the fire at the settlement however around 20 families have been left homeless.
MORE than 20 families have been left homeless after a fire tore through a section of the Sim Place Informal Settlement in Effingham last week.
It is unclear what started the fire however, local ward councillor, Bobby Maharajh has started a collection to help families affected by the blaze.
Approximately eight shacks were razed to the ground due in large part to the work of firefighters from the eThekwini Fire Department explained Maharajh.
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“I must commend the firefighters for their swift response to the blaze as Sim Place is quite a large settlement and most of the homes are centimetres apart in sections. The initial count said as many as 60 families were affected but after liaising with the ward committee on the ground we established that seven homes were burned to the ground and more than 20 families are homeless and in the process of rebuilding their lives,” he said.
Maharajh said he was initially alerted to the blaze which took place last Tuesday on a community watch WhatsApp group.
“I’ve liaised with the disaster management department who are helping with relief efforts but I’m also 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 clothes, blankets and other non-perishable foods. We’ve already dropped off some donations to the community but more items are needed,” he said.
If you would like to donate to the cause, contact Maharajh on 082 374 5128.
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