Several firefighters perish in a runaway fire in Boston, KZN

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Several firefighters are believed to have died in a runaway fire in Boston in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The exact number of those who have died is not yet clear.

Spokesperson for the Midlands EMS, Roland Robertson, says the firefighters are from the paper and pulp company, SAPPI. He says several more firefighters are believed to be injured.

“A runaway fire, multiple dead already. I don’t even know the numbers. Bodies everywhere. There’s just bodies everywhere. It was a run away veld fire. The fire fighters were trying to contain it and they got trapped.”

Hundreds displaced in Springfield

The eThekwini Municipality says it is coordinating temporary relief efforts for the survivors of a fire at the Kenville Informal Settlement in Springfield in Durban. The fire broke out in the early hours of this morning.

Hundreds of people have been displaced. The cause of the fire is not yet known.

“A team of 30 firefighters were dispatched to the scene with eight fire engines. The firefighters worked tirelessly until the fire was successfully extinguished. The estimated number of gutted informal settlements is more than 100 and about 300 people have been displaced. Those who suffered minor injuries were treated by medical personnel on site. Sadly one fatality was reported where a young pregnant woman succumbed to fire injuries,” explains spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, Gugu Sisilana.

Springfield fire leaves over 200 families homeless:

The South African Weather Service has issued a warning of high fire danger conditions in the western parts of KwaZulu-Natal including Ladysmith and Newcastle.

Weather forecaster Sihle Dlamini says a 30% chance of rain is expected in the province on Monday.

“We are not expecting any rain. However, we do have a cold front over us, but it’s just not giving us rain for today. However, it is giving us rain tomorrow which is 30% chance along the coastal areas of KZN, a little bit of adjacent interior. However, we do have a warning that is valid only for today for fire danger index that is affecting the north western areas of KZN, which include the areas of Ladysmith, and Newcastle. People are advised to take take precaution of that warning.”

Additional reporting Fanele Mhlongo