A man was burnt beyond recognition on Saturday by a fire which destroyed 15 shacks and left 50 people homeless in Wallacedene, the City of Cape Town’s fire and rescue service said.

The blaze, which is suspected to have been sparked by a cooking fire that was left unattended in the area, began in the early hours of Saturday morning in Thakudi Street, spokesperson Theo Layne said.

“One adult, suspected male, sustained fatal burns [with his] body burnt beyond recognition.”

The city’s disaster risk management team would assist those affected by the fire. News24