Town Two community in Khayelitsha mourns as fire claims life of local resident

The SST community in Town Two, Khayelitsha, is reeling after a fire destroyed six shacks and claimed the life of a 32-year-old man on the evening of Sunday, August 31.

Residents told Vukani the fire began at the three-roomed shack of Nande Kambi. Despite desperate attempts to save him, he was unable to escape the flames and died inside. Mr Kambi, who lived alone, was described by neighbours as a kind and well-liked individual.

The fire broke out shortly after 9pm and left 14 people homeless.

When Vukani arrived at the scene around 11am on Monday morning, September 1, residents were still sifting through the debris.

A neighbour Hazel Soyikwa said she was woken up by screams on Sunday night. The scream, she said, alerted he community of the fire. Her 23-year-old son, who lived in a shack adjacent to Mr Kambi’s, attempted to rescue his friend.

“When I arrived, my son’s shack was already filled with smoke. Luckily, he wasn’t inside. I managed to save some of his belongings,” said Ms Soyikwa. “He ran to Nande’s shack to try and break in, but it was too late. The fire had completely taken over, and there was nothing anyone could do.”

She added that some residents had reported hearing Mr Kambi calling for help.

“Nande Bhuti was such a sweet, respectful young man. He looked after himself and got along well with everyone. On the day of the fire, he was in good spirits. None of us could have imagined it would be his last day. We’re left asking how this happened, but we have no answers,” she said.

His aunt, Siziwe Tontsi, described her nephew as a gentle soul who never gave the family any trouble.

“We were completely shocked when his neighbours came to tell us what had happened. I’m especially worried about his parents. They loved him so much and always looked out for his well-being,” she said tearfully.

“I have no words. It’s difficult to even think about planning his funeral. This is so unexpected.”

The City's Fire and Rescue Services confirmed that an emergency call was received at 10:20pm, reporting informal structures on fire in Town Two, Khayelitsha. Firefighting crews from Gugulethu, Durbanville, Somerset West, Mfuleni, Khayelitsha, and Kuils River responded to the scene.

The fire was extinguished around 11:40pm. Six structures were destroyed, leaving 14 people displaced. One adult male was declared dead at the scene after sustaining fatal burn wounds, said the statement.

The cause of the fire is yet to be established.