A devastating late-night fire in Nomzamo has claimed the lives of a woman and a six-month-old baby.

The fire broke out at the Wag ’n Bietjie Informal Settlement, off Richmond Street, at around 11.45pm on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.

The City’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermain Carelse says crews from Strand, Sir Lowry’s Pass and Somerset West rushed to the scene as flames tore through the informal settlement.

Carelse says the blaze was brought under control by around 1.20am, however, two lives were sadly lost.

“An adult female and a female minor, six months of age, died in the blaze. A second woman sustained burn wounds and was transported to hospital.”

An estimated six informal structures were destroyed, leaving around 12 people displaced.

The cause of the fire remains unknown at this stage.

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