A fire in Philippi has claimed the lives of a woman and two children.

The blaze gutted a shack in Heinz Park on Thursday morning.

Reports suggest that the three victims were related.

It’s believed the family members couldn’t escape the burning structure and died as a result.

The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service’s Jermaine Carelse says the cause of the fire is unknown

“During firefighting operation, the bodies of an adult female and two minors – a boy and girl – were found amongst the debris. Several persons were displaced and the fire was extinguished just before 07:30.”