AN estimated 450 people were left homeless on Saturday night after a devastating fire swept through an informal settlement in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, SABC TV news reported. The entire Ward 36 was wiped out after the blaze gutted down all the shacks on Saturday afternoon. Residents joined hands with firefighters and police to save their belongings, but nothing was recovered. It was unclear on Saturday evening whether the fire was caused by an electrical fault, a paraffin lamp that was left on or a roadside fire. No casualties were reported and police did not suspect arson.