A devastating fire has swept through an informal settlement in Khayelitsha, leaving more than 1,500 homes in ruins, according to relief aid group Gift of the Givers. The exact number of families affected by the morning blaze is yet to be determined, but Gift of the Givers reported no fatalities. However, one person sustained serious injuries and was transported to the hospital.
Gift of the Givers spokesperson Ali Sablay praised the City of Cape Town Fire Department for their swift response, being on-site since 05:30 am and actively working to extinguish the flames. The relief aid group, along with the disaster management team, is conducting assessments to gauge the extent of the damage.
Sablay highlighted the tragic loss for many families, noting that the fire escalated when five-liter cooking oil, distributed as part of food hampers to community members, ignited and intensified the spread of the flames. The affected families have reportedly lost everything in the wake of this devastating incident.