Another fire in Strand displaced 32 residents after it ripped through an informal settlement in Lwandle on Monday (27 January).
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services, said fire crews from Strand and Sir Lowry’s Pass fire stations were called into action after receiving an emergency call at 06:50. The call reported that informal structures were ablaze just off Broadlands Road.
“Despite the challenging windy conditions, the fire crews managed to extinguish the fire by 09:00,” Carelse said.
Seven structures were destroyed and 32 people were left homeless. “No injuries or fatalities were reported and the cause is unclear at this stage,” Carelse added.
The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre (DRMC) has conducted an assessment of the affected area.
The Western Cape’s fire season, traditionally set between November and May, normally sees an uptick in fires within informal settlements.
This is the third shack fire DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette has reported on in Strand this season.
The first incident occurred on Friday 20 December 2024, when a fire started after melting copper was allegedly left unattended in Rusthof, with the blaze demolishing five structures and displacing 22 people (“Kopersmeltery glo die rede dat drie families van Rusthof nou dakloos is” 20 December 2024).
Four days later, the second fire claimed the life of a 30-year-old man in Nomzamo. The fire left 200 people homeless as it destroyed 64 structures (“Another fire leaves many homeless on Christmas Eve”, 24 December 2024).
After the fire in Rusthof, the community of Strand rallied together to help get the displaced back on their feet, with Strand Patrol assisting donations of furniture.
In Nomzamo, Gift of the Givers distributed Christmas gifts to fire victims, allowing the families to enjoy a pleasant if not completely joyful Christmas. Later, they were able to build structures for the affected families. (“Victims rebuilding after festive-season infernos”, 8 January).
While the past incidents showed the resilience of the people of Strand, the most recent fire reveals the challenges many still face.
Ward 86 councillor Xolani Diniso expressed hope that those displaced in this week’s fire will also be able to swiftly get back on their feet, but acknowledged that it is unavoidable for people who have lost everything in a blaze to remain unaffected.
“The community is completely devastated, as a fire is an unplanned event,” said Diniso.
“The office of the Ward 86 councillor will do whatever is in its power to make sure the fire victims receive fire kits to rebuild their homes.”
Diniso plans on intensifying the current fire awareness programmes in the ward, but believes building houses for the people of Lwandle is the only permanent solution.
