On the weekend of July 24th, a devastating fire broke out in the Blowy informal settlement near Town Two in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. The fire claimed the lives of six family members and left more than a dozen people without homes.
Fire caused by paraffin stove
The fire reportedly broke out after midnight on a Saturday morning during load shedding while a family member was cooking on a paraffin stove. The victims ranged from a nine-month-old baby to a 60-year-old woman. Unfortunately, they could not escape the inferno that engulfed their home. Another family member, Bongani Shweni, suffered life-threatening burn wounds and is currently receiving treatment at the Khayelitsha District Hospital.
Second deadly fire this month
The recent tragedy marks the second deadly fire at the Blowy informal settlement this month. In another fire that occurred on July 9th, a couple lost their lives, and 25 people were left homeless after seven homes were destroyed. Distressingly, some of these victims had already lost their homes to a fire in 2018, which affected around 1,000 people. Community leaders claim that many of the victims were supposed to have been relocated to an area in Town Two after the 2018 fire, but the move never occurred.
City fire and rescue service dispatched
As the fire raged on, crews from Lansdowne, Macassar, and Mitchells Plain were dispatched to the scene. Jermaine Carelse, the spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service, recounted the harrowing situation as they discovered several structures ablaze and were informed that multiple people were unaccounted for.
Victims’ families face financial burden
Most of the victims’ family members are unemployed and cannot afford the DNA tests required to officially verify the identities of their loved ones, which could cost around R9,000 for all six people. Thembakazi Mtotoyi, a relative of the victims, expressed concern that the financial burden may further delay their ability to lay their relatives to rest and prolong their trauma.
Witnesses recount harrowing experiences
Witnesses of the tragedy shared their own harrowing experiences as they grappled with the wreckage of their lives. Neliswa Mpunga, a neighbor who lived close to the family, recalled the chilling sight of Bongani Shweni’s wounds. The fire had also destroyed her shack and all her belongings, leaving her and her two children homeless. Mboneli Rala, another neighbor, was saved by community members who kicked in his door to pull him out of his burning shack. He credited their collective effort in gathering water from the only working communal tap to douse the fire. However, he lamented the lack of water resources, which could have helped save the family.
Community rallies together
In the aftermath of this disaster, the community has rallied together to support the family of the deceased and other fire victims. Mzikazi Twani, the former chair of the local SANCO branch, revealed plans for a community meeting to discuss ways to provide assistance and prevent future tragedies. It is in the face of adversity that the people of Town Two come together, showcasing their resilience and solidarity.
