WATCH | Shops gutted in central Durban fire

A blind cat was among the survivors of a fire which ripped through three stores in central Durban on Wednesday.

Rescue Care spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said shops at the corner of Denis Hurley and Dr Yusuf Dadoo streets had caught alight, resulting in residents living above the stores being evacuated.

"Three stores as well as some apartments have been damaged in this fire. Multiple patients have been treated by paramedics," said Jamieson.

The fire broke out just a few metres away from the city’s iconic Grey Street Juma Mosque.

The busy roads had to be closed temporarily to allow fire firefighters to fight the blaze.

Jamieson said a blind cat was also assessed on the scene.

Firemen managed to extinguish the blaze.