Thousands left homeless after shack fire in Durban

DURBAN - Over a thousand shacks have been destroyed in a fire at Kennedy Road Informal Settlement in Durban.

The Gift of the Givers says one person has died during the blaze, that broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The humanitarian aid organisation is helping those affected by the fire.

Officials on the ground estimate about three thousand people could be displaced.

South Africa has been in the grip of a cold snap, and although it's not clear what caused the blaze, shack fires are not uncommon in winter, as people try to stay warm by all means possible.

Residents claim firefighters ran out of water, which led to the fire spreading further.