Hundreds of residents were left displaced following a raging fire which ripped through the Silahwe Nkanini informal settlement in Lwandle on Tuesday morning (15 April).
According to Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services, firefighters responded to an emergency call of informal structures alight near Dumisani Street around 09:00. He said over 10 firefighting resources and 50 firefighters were initially dispatched to the scene.
“The density of the area, coupled with winds fanning the fire, meant additional resources had to be deployed,” said Carelse, adding that firefighters experienced difficulties in the community as a result of intimidation from some residents, leading to the deployment of Law Enforcement officers.
He further stated that the fire was contained at 14:00 and the cause of the blaze remains undetermined. No fatalities were reported, Carelse said, but an adult male was treated for a seizure and a firefighter was transported to hospital with an injured knee.
When DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette arrived on the scene around noon, firefighters and community members were still battling to extinguish the inferno which had already been raging for three hours.
Ward 83 councillor Xolani Diniso, who also responded to the incident, extended an urgent appeal to national government and the City to fast-track emergency assistance for the fire victims, especially those left displaced and in dire need of shelter and alternative accommodation.
“The fire has left an estimated 200 people displaced,”
Ward 83 councillor Xolani Diniso
Diniso added that residents’ lives went up in flames, gutting not only most of their belongings but reduced their children’s school uniforms to ashes.
He also called on the City to expedite the process of providing those affected by the blaze with humanitarian relief including food items and asked that they open community halls to house the fire victims while they devise plans in hopes of rebuilding their lives.
Gift of the Givers activated a team in response to the community’s call, providing a helping hand.
“Hot meals, blankets, toiletries and infant care packs will be distributed to those affected by the fire,” said spokesperson Ali Sablay.
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