CAPE TOWN-A crèche in Hanover Park is appealing for public assistance after a large part of its premises was damaged in a fire last week.
On Monday morning, 22 September, the Steers Educare was engulfed in flames.
The cause of the fire is unknown.
The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Department received a call at 01:05 reporting a dwelling alight at Surdown Walk in Pinate Estate.
School principal, Avril Martin seen cleaning the creche after the fire. 
The school lost a large chunk of its learning materials in the fire. 
The school’s bathroom in the aftermath of the fire. 
The school’s ceiling poses a saftey risk for learners. 
The school’s ceiling was badly scorched in the fire. Photo: supplied
“Upon arrival, responding crews found a dwelling used as an Educare Centre had caught alight. The fire was extinguished prior to the arrival of the brigade. Firefighters attended to smouldering areas and made the area safe.,” said spokesperson Edward Bosch.
School administrator Matthew Martin said furniture, learning materials and other essential equipment and tools were destroyed as were much of the classrooms.
“Two rooms were severely damaged by fire – a bedroom, along with a room used as the classroom,” Bosch added.
The rest of the building sustained partial damage due to smoke and heat.
“Without Steers Educare these children are left vulnerable, missing out on both education and the daily protection the centre offers,” he said. “What once stood as a safe place for learning, play and nourishment has now virtually been reduced to ashes.”
He urged the public to help rebuild the facility and help the children.”We are determined to rebuild, but we cannot do it alone,” Martin said.
“Our most pressing need right now is for building materials to restore the educare facility and make it safe for the children once again. Every brick, every piece of wood every sheet of roofing will help bring us closer to reopening our doors.”
The school had not yet received any donations or monetary contributions for urgent repairs and replacement of to the facility.
School principal Avril Martin also could not confirm where or how the learners were being taught in the absence of proper premises.
People’s Post reached out to the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Department for comment, but they could not provide a response at the time of going to print.
. For more information or to contribute contact Martin on 083 530 9229.
