---
title: "Fatal pre-dawn fire devastates Masiphumelele"
description: "A fire that broke out in the early hours of Monday morning at Masiphumelele, near Fish Hoek in Cape Town, claimed the life of one person and injured two. More than 100 structures were destroyed and about 500 people were displaced. Ali Sablay from Gift of the Givers confirmed on Monday morning that they were on the scene early to help with relief efforts. Photographer Brenton Geach recorded the devastation."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PHOTO ESSAY"
author: "Brenton Geach"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/brenton-geach/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-23-fatal-pre-dawn-fire-devastates-masiphumelele/"
published: "2024-12-23T19:00:06"
updated: "2024-12-23T19:55:57"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 98
---

# Fatal pre-dawn fire devastates Masiphumelele

> A fire that broke out in the early hours of Monday morning at Masiphumelele, near Fish Hoek in Cape Town, claimed the life of one person and injured two. More than 100 structures were destroyed and about 500 people were displaced. Ali Sablay from Gift of the Givers confirmed on Monday morning that they were on the scene early to help with relief efforts. Photographer Brenton Geach recorded the devastation.

By Brenton Geach · Published 23 December 2024, 21:00 SAST · Updated 23 December 2024, 21:55 SAST

## Key points
- In a tragic twist of fate, a raging inferno has turned homes into ashes and dreams into smoke, leaving residents like Sthembele and Zinzi Vena to sift through the charred remains of their lives.
- Devastating fire leaves families, including Sthembele and Zinzi Vena, homeless and in despair.
- Firefighters worked tirelessly to extinguish flames and dampen hotspots amid the destruction.
- Residents are left sifting through the wreckage, grappling with the loss of their homes and belongings.
- Community support and recovery efforts are urgently needed as the affected families begin to rebuild.

## Content

![A firefighter dampens down hotspots after the  fire. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/3ltShZD2yCdjNZoRB9AtMpF3oKg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ED_540957.jpg)

*A firefighter dampens down hotspots after the fire. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)*

![Fire engines after the early-morning fire in Masiphumelele, Cape Town, on 23 December 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/PMRQcpI4egws62jLnCHKpG2r0BY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ED_540955.jpg)

*Fire engines at the scene after the fire. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)*

![The home of  Sthembele Vena and his wife Zinzi who lost everything in the early-morning fire at Masiphumelele, Cape Town, on 23 December 2024, (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ksunNT_vvJFE8Ki3Y4QBY_ttnb4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ED_540965.jpg)

*The view from the home of Sthembele Vena and his wife Zinzi, who lost everything in the fire. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)*

![The home of  Sthembele Vena and his wife Zinzi who lost everything in the early-morning fire at Masiphumelele, Cape Town, on 23 December 2024, (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/4mWhw3GHWBpy1dV0QQ1qWr0fvrI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ED_540958.jpg)

*Inside the ruined home of Sthembele Vena and his wife Zinzi. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)*

![The devastation left by the fire. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/9gn9bB0EPG5xG_NfEYQkrLWcfAw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ED_540966.jpg)

*The devastation left by the fire. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)*

![Residents sift through the wreckage in the aftermath of the early-morning fire at Masiphumelele, Cape Town, on 23 December 23, 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/pqv2bFDUvXaapcFvxMZfwhfTwyM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ED_540962.jpg)

*Residents sift through the wreckage of their homes after the fire. (Photo: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images)*