40 shacks up in flames in Denver, one treated for smoke inhalation

One person was treated for smoke inhalation after at least 40 shacks went up in flames in Denver, Johannesburg, on Thursday, the city's emergency services said.

Spokesman Robert Mulaudzi said the fire was in the Mangolongolo informal settlement.

The fire which started around midday in the settlement in the industrial area. Nobody had to be taken to hospital.

In September 2010 the settlement was gutted by two fires days apart.

Fires are known to spread quickly in informal settlements due to the nature of the building materials such as plywood and plastic, with residents often losing everything they own.