Johannesburg Fire Strikes Informal Settlement: A Story Of Resilience

Holifil

03 Apr, 2025

Emergency services in Johannesburg fought tirelessly to control a massive fire that tore through an informal settlement.
The fire happened in Selby, close to the city center, and while the exact cause remains unknown, the community is reeling from the destruction.
Some South Africans took to social media, suggesting the fire was "karma" for mocking fires in Los Angeles last year.

Tebogo Mokwena, a seasoned journalist with Briefly News in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered accidents, fires, outbreaks, and natural disasters for seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.

Scores were displaced when a Johannesburg fire destroyed an informal settlement. Image: Emmanuel Croset/ AFP via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG — In a dramatic turn of events, a massive fire that swept through an informal settlement near the heart of Johannesburg on January 27, 2025, left many families displaced but, thankfully, no lives were lost. The incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by communities living in such conditions and underscores the need for better infrastructure and safety measures.

When Flames Engulf a Community

According to reports from eNCA, the fire tore through the informal settlement in Selby, located near Johannesburg’s bustling central business district. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the destruction left behind is a stark reminder of how fragile life can be for those living in such conditions. The exact cause of the fire remains a mystery, but what’s clear is the devastation it left in its wake. Videos of the incident show panicked residents fleeing the flames, desperately trying to salvage what little they had.

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The images are heart-wrenching, capturing the raw emotion and resilience of people who have faced so much yet continue to fight for a better tomorrow. If you want to see the full video of the incident, you can watch it here:

Not the First Time: A Pattern of Destruction

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time fires have wreaked havoc on informal settlements in South Africa. Just last year, in June 2024, a fire in a Cape Town settlement claimed two lives and destroyed five shacks. During the festive season, another fire in Johannesburg left countless families homeless. And in Langa, Cape Town, over 130 residents lost their homes when a blaze gutted eight hostels and 25 shacks.

Two lives were tragically lost in a fire that gutted five shacks in a Cape Town informal settlement in June 2024.
Johannesburg saw its own share of destruction during the festive season, with many homes reduced to ashes.
In Langa, Cape Town, more than 130 residents were left homeless after a fire destroyed eight hostels and 25 shacks.

Firefighters battled fiercely against the flames in Johannesburg. Image: Emmanuel Croset/ AFP via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

What South Africans Are Saying

As news of the fire spread, social media lit up with reactions from all corners of the country. Some netizens on Facebook couldn’t help but draw parallels to the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles last year, with a few even suggesting that this was "karma" for mocking those events.

Warren Brown summed up the sentiment when he said:

"I wonder how many people from LA are gonna come here and laugh at them. Not so funny when it's happening to you or your family, is it?"

Bettie Steyn echoed similar thoughts:

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"That's what happens when you laugh at those people in LA."

Truthfully Hurts chimed in with:

"Africans were laughing at the LA fires and then boom, karma strikes."

Dan Naidoo offered a more political take:

"The ANC has converted most of South Africa into a squatter camp."

John Nkumise voiced concerns about safety:

"Informal settlements have never been safe and will never be safe."

Djehuti Tlhavani had strong words for leadership:

"Shame on you, Ramaphosa. Shame on your GNU."

Thousands Displaced in Gauteng Fires

In a related story, Briefly News reported on two fires that erupted in Gauteng in September 2024, destroying over 800 homes and leaving more than 2,600 people without shelter. Tragically, one person lost their life in the chaos. One fire broke out at the Cemetery View Informal Settlement in Pretoria, displacing over 2,000 people, while another fire in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, added to the growing list of those affected.

The recurring theme here is clear: informal settlements remain dangerously vulnerable to fires, and until significant changes are made, these communities will continue to face the same challenges. As the world watches, it’s time for action—not just words—to ensure that no one is left behind.