Devastating fire in Kennedy Road leaves dozens homeless

A devastating fire tore through the Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban on Wednesday night, destroying more than 40 shacks and leaving dozens of families homeless.

Disaster response teams were alerted by urgent calls from residents at around 8pm, reporting a fast-spreading blaze in the densely populated area.

The fire displaced hundreds of residents, many of whom lost essential documents, clothing, and personal belongings in the inferno.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, commended fire and rescue services for their swift response, which helped prevent loss of life.

“Our teams acted quickly and decisively to contain the fire and protect lives,” he said.

According to a statement from Cogta, 70 residents were safely evacuated and are currently being housed at a nearby community hall. The cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation.

Mr Buthelezi confirmed that the provincial disaster management centre had activated relevant departments and partners to provide emergency relief and begin the process of helping affected families rebuild.

“Rebuilding will not be easy, but the province is committed to standing with these communities as they recover,” Mr Buthelezi said.

The Kennedy Road informal settlement is one of several in KwaZulu-Natal where smoke alarms have been installed as part of a provincial safety campaign.

Officials said the early warnings from these devices were crucial in helping residents escape the fire safely. Despite the destruction, no injuries or fatalities were reported - a fact attributed to the effectiveness of the smoke alarm system and rapid emergency response.

Relief efforts are currently underway to assist those impacted by the fire.