After a fire blazed through the well-known Ou Skip Caravan Park in Melkbosstrand, three families were left homeless and without any possessions last week.
Fire crews from Melkbosstrand, Atlantis and Milnerton were on the scene with three fire engines, two water tankers and a rescue vehicle.
“A caravan and a tent were destroyed leaving nine persons displaced. One person suffered first-degree burn wounds and was treated and assessed on scene,” said the City of Cape Town’s fire and rescue spokesperson Jermaine Carelse who also confirmed the incident after their crew was alerted at 00:30.
However, the cause of the fire remains unknown.
A plea for support
As the devastation of the fire left families without basic needs, the community joined forces and made a plea on social media asking for assistance.
Help came from many residents in Summer Greens, Melkbosstrand, West Beach, Sunningdale and Atlantis who donated much-needed items to ensure that the families affected by the fire were properly looked after.
An official drop-off point was made available by RE/MAX properties in Birkenhead. The victims were also sponsored breakfast by the Damhuis Beach Restaurant.
A resident, Ursula Lovegood says the families are devastated and lost all their possessions in the fire.
“Imagine losing everything you hold dear? These families are really going through a tough time and we as community need to assist them,” she says.
Melkbosstrand CPF chair Samie Kleynhans said the community came together in a show of camaraderie to assist the fire victims.
“We have very little detail on how the fire started and cannot comment on that, but what we can say is that Melkbosstrand community and businesses in the area have come together to make sure the victims had their immediate needs seen to.
“This comes as no surprise as the community always stands together in a time of need and this time around was no different.
“Since the plight went out, businesses and residents have made sure that goods are collected and distributed to the affected families. So far we are aware that accommodation at the park has been offered to the fire victims while everything is being sorted.
“The response from the Melkbosstrand community, and surrounding area, has been amazing and overwhelming. As far as clothing, toiletries and food requirements go, we were able to assist the families immediately. We received more than enough for most of the requirements. We also received cash donations and that allowed us to cover many additional requirements, including replacing medical requirement bills of more than R4 700,” he says.
According to Kleynhans, two units at the Ou Skip Caravan Park were completely destroyed in the fire.
“The CPF would like to thank the community of Melkbosstrand and surrounding areas for the amazing response and assistance to help the people affected by the fire at Ou Skip.”
The CPF says the biggest need now is helping these families with accommodation in the form of a caravan or a tent.
“The next requirement is to see how we can assist the families with permanent accommodation. This will be a major challenge, difficult to achieve and at a huge cost. It will not only include caravans and tents, but also household goods and requirements such as fridges, pots, pans, etc. Another big challenge that we experienced was space to put all the goods we received. We will not be able to store or keep large items.
“Going forward, we are hoping to be able to continue assisting the families but once again, relying on the community to support this initiative. It is always difficult to ask for financial donations and for many families, difficult to give,” Kleynhans says.
To donate to this cause, contact the Melkbosstrand CPF at cpf.melkbosstrand1@gmail.com
