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Around 1000 homes were destroyed in a fire in Masiphumelele.
- The City of Cape Town is calling on the public to donate essential items to the Masiphumelele community after a fire destroyed approximately 1,000 homes.
- The fire was being fanned by strong winds and spreading at an alarming rate.
- Basic necessities have been requested, such as blankets, baby food, diapers, baby milk and non-perishable food.
The city of Cape Town is calling on the public to donate essentials to the Masiphumelele community after a fire ripped through around 1,000 homes near Fish Hoek on Thursday.
The City Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a plume of thick black smoke in the area around 4:13 p.m.
“The Kommetjie Road crew responded quickly to the fire on Masemola Street, which was being fueled by high winds and was spreading at an alarming rate,” said Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jermaine Carelse.
He said additional resources were brought in to try to put out the fire and that eight fire fighting devices and 40 employees were on the scene.
Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were also called in to control a rebellious crowd that was interfering with firefighters’ efforts to contain the blaze.
Around 1000 homes were destroyed in a fire in Masiphumelele.
Since then, the city has appealed to the public to donate essential items such as blankets, baby food, diapers, baby milk and non-perishable foods to the Living Hope organization in Masiphumelele.
The city’s mayor committee member for human settlements, Malusi Booi, is expected to visit the area on Friday morning to get a first-hand look at the damage.
“Once the fire has been controlled, the City will begin a verification process of affected residents; the City’s solid waste management department will clean up the debris; sites will be demarcated and affected residents will receive proof of certified residency as proof of their future residency when they rebuild or are issued emergency kits in accordance with the disaster declaration, ”the City said in a statement.
Around 1000 homes were destroyed in a fire in Masiphumelele.
Helicopters and fire trucks were deployed to help put out the fires and the cause of the fire is not yet known. (Photo by Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
Executive Mayor Dan Plato has indicated that he will declare a local disaster within the next 72 hours and the Western Cape government has already committed to putting out an emergency bulletin of the local disaster, which is expected next week.
“The fire went out at 01:00 [on Friday] and crews monitored any outbreaks, “added Carelse.
No injuries were reported.
To donate, contact Living Hope, which coordinates relief efforts, at 082 465 9067.
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