Two people have died and about 500 residents have been left homeless after a fire at the Overhill informal settlement in Kleinmond on Sunday.
Overstrand municipality spokesperson Cecile Jonkheid said hundreds of shacks were destroyed in the fire early on Sunday.
"A resident fell asleep and his candle fell over, which started the blaze," Jonkheid said.
"Between 270 and 280 shacks were burnt to the ground."
The two adults who had died in the fire could not be identified yet, as their bodies were burnt beyond recognition, Jonkheid said.
She said many of the displaced residents were staying with friends and family, but about 200 were being accommodated at the local community hall.
"The public has been very generous with donations. The mayor and his wife has just been here - at the community hall - handing over food and blankets and disposable nappies for the babies," she said.
"I have already had many calls from members of the public wanting to donate money and food and building supplies."
She said a wind of 90km/h had been recorded by the Kleinmond fire department early on Sunday, at the time of the fire.
This had caused its rapid spread through the settlement.
"Firefighters were on the scene minutes after the fire was reported, but the wind just took the fire and ran with it. Police were also there immediately, investigating the incident."
- Sapa
Overstrand municipality spokesperson Cecile Jonkheid said hundreds of shacks were destroyed in the fire early on Sunday.
"A resident fell asleep and his candle fell over, which started the blaze," Jonkheid said.
"Between 270 and 280 shacks were burnt to the ground."
The two adults who had died in the fire could not be identified yet, as their bodies were burnt beyond recognition, Jonkheid said.
She said many of the displaced residents were staying with friends and family, but about 200 were being accommodated at the local community hall.
"The public has been very generous with donations. The mayor and his wife has just been here - at the community hall - handing over food and blankets and disposable nappies for the babies," she said.
"I have already had many calls from members of the public wanting to donate money and food and building supplies."
She said a wind of 90km/h had been recorded by the Kleinmond fire department early on Sunday, at the time of the fire.
This had caused its rapid spread through the settlement.
"Firefighters were on the scene minutes after the fire was reported, but the wind just took the fire and ran with it. Police were also there immediately, investigating the incident."
- Sapa
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