One person was killed and others injured when fire broke out at the Coal Yard (Emalahleni) Informal Settlement in the Msunduzi Municipality, Pietermaritzburg, in the early hours of Sunday.
The blaze started at approximately 4.29am, affecting roughly 22 households and impacting around 66 residents.
Ward 32 councillor Garth Middleton said he called the fire department to extinguish the fire and later contacted the Msunduzi disaster management team.
“We did a full disaster management administration; checks on every person, everybody… Thereafter, they went off and came back with some sort of supplies,” Middleton said.
According to him, the 25-year-old man was rushed to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. One or two other residents sustained minor injuries.
“With the family that lost a member, disaster management, along with Social Development, will be taking care of that, and they’re engaging with the family today onwards,” Middleton said.
“One of the children that was in school, social services are also on that, in terms of uniform and learning material.”
Middleton has thanked Woodlands and surrounding area donors who responded to his public appeal for assistance and donations.
“I did about three to four van loads of donations, mattresses, blankets, food, etc. So we also want to thank those guys that just reached out at that time,” Middleton said.
He said the disaster management team arrived in the afternoon and conducted a handout of relief items.
Middleton added that the informal settlement has a housing project (Emalahleni Coal Yard Housing Project), but it is taking years. It needs to be fast-tracked so the people can be moved into proper housing.
Image: Supplied
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi said: “We extend our condolences to the family, friends, and community members grieving the loss of their loved one. We are providing immediate disaster relief support to the affected families and stand with the community during this painful time.”
He said the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, coordinating with the Msunduzi Municipality and key humanitarian stakeholders, mobilised immediate relief operations.
Moreover, assessments are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and to ensure swift targeted interventions.
Buthelezi added that Cogta disaster management teams will remain on high alert and continue to closely monitor the situation at the informal settlement while full assessments are finalised.
The Msunduzi Municipality said that municipal disaster management teams and other stakeholders responded promptly to the incident and are assessing the extent of the damage and the immediate needs following the fire.
“The preliminary assessment has identified needs that include temporary shelter, clothing, psychosocial support, and educational materials for affected learners, including a Grade 12 learner. The relevant departments and stakeholders are being engaged to determine the appropriate interventions,” the municipality said, adding that assessments remain ongoing.
The municipality also urged residents to be cautious when using open flames, candles, paraffin stoves, braziers and other heating devices, particularly in densely populated areas and informal settlements.
“Residents are encouraged to ensure that heating and cooking appliances are safely extinguished before leaving their homes or going to sleep,” the municipality said.
Two weeks ago, two people died, and others were left injured after a fire at the Jika Joe Informal Settlement in Msunduzi, with 427 households affected.
