CAPE TOWN – Groups of families from Masiphumelele are appealing for assistance after witnessing their homes destroyed in a blaze that ravaged the area for four hours on Tuesday 20 January.
That afternoon, at 15:15, the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service was alerted about the fire and of reports of homes and vegetation burning in the informal settlement.
Several fire stations responded to the scene as well as 40 ground-crew members and three helicopters for aerial support.
Families devastated
Masiphumelele resident Nandi Dubeni told People’s Post she was unsure how the fire had started but heard it may have spread from a neighbouring house.
A mother, she is part a family of four.
“We lost a bed, fridge and some of our clothes, but no one was injured,” she said.
Fellow resident Asiphe Mbando said she was at work when her house burnt down.
She lived there with a boyfriend and two children, a 9-year-old and an 8-month-old.
“I lost all my furniture, fridge, cupboards, wardrobe, couch, bed, all my clothes, blankets and electric appliances such as a stove, fridge, speakers and electric kettle.”
Non-governmental organisation Living Hope, which was assisting victims in the area with donations, said early estimates had individuals affected at around 650.
“We urgently need your support for these vulnerable individuals,” said Candice Thomas, a volunteer with the organisation. “We need hygiene products, such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary pads, clothing, bedding, including blankets, sheets and pillows, and cooking pots, utensils and dry goods.”
Living Hope are a multi-faceted organisation that mobilises hundreds of volunteers per year to serve locals through responsive programmes in under-resourced, under-served communities.
Challenging conditions
Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed that prevailing weather conditions proved challenging for ground crews.
“Three choppers started water bombing from 16:50,” he said.
The Incident Management Team (IMT) was tasked with coordinating operations and divided the fire area into three divisions.
One firefighter sustained a suspected wrist fracture and was transported to a nearby medical facility.
No other injuries have been reported.
Fire controlled
The operation involved approximately 40 firefighters battling the blaze on the ground, supported by helicopter water-bombing
Four hours later, at 19:30 the fire was contained.
“Firefighters remained on scene well into the night conducting extensive damping down operations to prevent flare-ups,” Carelse added.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Aftermath
The City’s Disaster Risk Management teams are standing by to coordinate post disaster recovery efforts in Masiphumelele.
The City could not confirm exactly how many shacks were destroyed when People’s Post enquired.
“The confirmed impact will be determined once an assessment is completed by DRM and the City’s Informal Settlements Management Branch,” said DRM spokesperson, Charlotte Powell.
Recovery efforts will begin once the Fire and Rescue Service deems the site safe for other City services to conduct assessments on damaged infrastructure and for the debris to be cleared by the Solid Waste Department.
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Gift of the Givers are on scene, to assist with immediate soft relief needs for displaced persons.
“Once all their details have been recorded, it will be submitted to SASSA, the Provincial Department of Social Development and the National Department of Human Settlements for relief from their side,” Powell added.
Members of the public who would like to make donations to help those in need, can drop off non- perishable foodstuff, personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, face cloths, sanitary towels), nappies and baby formula, as well as blankets/bedding at the Living Hope NGO, situated at 7 Kommetjie Main Road, Capri.
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