One person has died and several others were injured after a devastating fire swept through the Emahlahleni Coal Yard Informal Settlement in Woodlands during the early hours of Sunday morning. The fire, which broke out at around 12:30 a.m destroyed 22 homes, leaving multiple residents homeless. According to community members, the fire started in one of the homes located in the middle of the settlement before rapidly spreading to neighbouring homes.
Residents said they were awakened by the smell of smoke and the screams of fellow community members as the flames engulfed the area. Akhona Nyoka, whose home was next to where the fire reportedly started, said she was terrified following the fire. “I saw the smoke and I heard my neighbour screaming.
I just grabbed my child and ran. It was so scary. I was unable to save anything,” she said.
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Among those left devastated is 56-year-old Thembelihle Nzuza, who said she lost all her belongings, including her essential diabetes medication. “I have nothing. I am on diabetes medicine which is kept in a fridge, but it was burnt in the fire.
I need that medicine. I’m so scared after the fire. This is the second time I am experiencing a fire in the many years I have lived here,” she said.
Woodlands Ward Councillor Garth Middleton shared his condolences following the death of a young resident who succumbed to his injuries in hospital. “We want to extend our condolences to the family members of the young man who has passed away in hospital.
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