VUUR EN VLAM

Masiphumelele mense desperate for shelter after blaze strips them of all their belongings

- BY MARSHA DEAN

DEVASTATED: Masiphumelele residents assess the damages

(ARMAND HOUGH)

AFTER losing their homes and all of their precious belongings in a woeste fire, the geskokte mense of Masiphumelele are now being told to remain calm as the search for temporary shelter continues.

The City's Fire and Rescue Service were called in Tuesday at around 3.15pm.

A blaze that was fuelled by a howling southeaster tore through the informal settlement, destroying at least 363 structures by early estimates.

About 40 firefighters from several stations and three choppers water-bombed the scene.

Although no injuries or fatalities have been reported, one firefighter sustained a wrist fracture and was transferred to a medical facility for treatment.