A fire has claimed the life of a mother of three, Sehlelo Ndlovu, in Marikana informal settlement in Philippi, Cape Town, over the weekend. A couple were also taken to hospital after sustaining burn wounds. Eight shacks burnt down, leaving 24 people homeless.

City fire and rescue spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said the call came at 2:15am on Saturday. Thirty firefighters from various stations went to the scene.

When GroundUp arrived later on Saturday people were angry and reluctant to talk.

Ndlovu's husband was in no state to speak with the media. The children had been taken to family members.

Community leader Zalisile Stemela said an illegal connection is suspected to have caused the fire. She said the fire started at the door and the occupants were trapped. The couple managed to get the children through the window. Ndlovu's husband then managed to break through the roof and get out. He then tried to help his wife, but Ndlovu fell when the bucket they were using as a step to climb out of the shack slipped. She fell into the flames.

Later on Saturday, the devastated residents were clearing the site and trying to salvage building materials.

One of the fire victims, who did not want to give her name, said she lost everything, including IDs and birth certificates for her and her children.

Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk said when police members attended to the scene the body of a 38-year-old woman was found burnt beyond recognition among the debris.

Van Wyk said the cause of the fire remains unknown and still under investigation.

The City disaster risk management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said SASSA has been requested to provide humanitarian relief.

On Sunday, Stemela said one person was still in hospital.