Puntas Hill Informal Settlement Fire

EThekwini Municipality’s Firefighting team responded swiftly to an informal settlement fire in Springfield yesterday, successfully containing the blaze and preventing it from spreading to additional structures.

At approximately 16:30, Fire Services were alerted to a fire at Puntas Hill Informal Settlement in Springfield, Ward 25.

Upon arrival, firefighters found around 15 informal structures fully engulfed in flames.

Crews immediately launched an aggressive firefighting operation to contain and extinguish the blaze and protect neighbouring structures.

The fire destroyed approximately 15 informal structures, leaving several families displaced and homeless. One formal structure was damaged and one motor vehicle destroyed.

Firefighters successfully brought the fire under control at approximately 17:00, preventing further damage to surrounding structures.

Crews remained on scene conducting damping-down operations to eliminate hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting.

Fortunately, no injuries, fatalities, or missing persons were reported.

The cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation.

Displaced residents have temporarily sought shelter with neighbours and relatives.

The Municipality’s Emergency Services team is working with relevant stakeholders to assess the impact of the incident and provide the necessary support to affected families.

The Municipality urges residents to exercise caution when using open flames, cooking appliances, and electrical connections, particularly in densely populated informal settlements where fires can spread rapidly and cause widespread devastation.

For emergencies, members of the public are urged to contact the City’s Emergency Call Centre on 031 361 0000.