In the early hours of Monday, 6 October, a devastating fire ripped through a shack in the Kosovo informal settlement in Samora Machel, Cape Town, leaving three people dead.
Residents believe the victims — close friends aged between 19 and 20 — had been drinking together before heading back to the shack, where the flames erupted moments later and trapped them inside.
According to community leader and neighbour Lonwabo Jako, the alarm was raised at around 3:00 AM, when people awoke to screams and thick smoke billowing through the settlement. “We rushed to wake others, but many could not rouse themselves,” Jako recounted, noting that attempts to save the three individuals were thwarted by the intensity of the fire.
The community suspects that the blaze was sparked by a small stove left in operation, possibly coming into contact with a blanket or fabric, igniting the fatal flames. The shack had only a two-burner stove, and about eight homes were impacted by the fire. Thanks to the swift response of firefighters, the blaze was prevented from spreading further.
Ward 88 Councillor Zukisani Sophazi described the incident as “heartbreaking,” and said the loss has left the entire community reeling. He noted that preliminary inquiries suggest the victims had not cooked at the time, adding uncertainty about the exact cause of the fire.
Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services were notified of the blaze at approximately 03:05 AM. By 4:30 AM, firefighters had extinguished the flames. In total, six structures were destroyed, and fourteen people were displaced. At about 4:20 AM, the bodies of the three victims—suffering fatal burn wounds—were discovered.
When police arrived at around 07:00 AM, they confirmed the deaths. Two of the victims, a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old, were identified; the age of the third is still undetermined. All were declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel.
An official inquest docket has since been opened. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that might assist in the investigation. Anyone with knowledge is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the MySAPS app anonymously.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers faced by residents living in informal settlements, where cramped living conditions, unsafe heating and cooking methods, and limited emergency access often turn minor incidents into deadly disasters.
Local leaders have called for urgent interventions to improve fire safety in high-risk communities, including better access to firefighting resources, awareness campaigns, and safer infrastructure. For now, the Kosovo community mourns the loss of three young lives — a painful reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike in vulnerable areas.
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