About 75 people were left homeless after a fire at the Joe Slovo informal settlement on the Cape Flats destroyed their shacks on Friday night, South African Broadcasting Corporation news reported.
Firefighters struggled to control the fire as they ran out of water.
Regional control station officer Gregory Carolissen said it was hard to access the area as it is very built up.
Sebastian Martins, a spokesperson for the Western Cape fire services, said arrangements for temporary accommodation will be made for those affected.
The cause of the fire is unknown. — Sapa