CAPE TOWN-About 150 families were left displaced after a fire broke out in Overcome Heights, Seawinds, on Thursday 16 October. The blaze destroyed 45 shacks, leaving many residents without shelter.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the city’s fire and rescue, said crews from various fire stations responded to the fire in St Patrick’s Avenue.
“By 20:00 that evening firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze that destroyed several structures and left a number of people displaced,” said Carelse. “The correct totals will be provided by DRM once they have completed their assessment. Law Enforcement was required due to the presence of armed individuals within the incident footprint.”
Carelse said the cause of the fire is still under investigation and confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Ward 45 councillor Mandy Marr was also on the scene to assist the victims. “Gift of the Givers is always fantastic at being on these sites when we have such incidents, and I will put a call soon to assist with donations,” she said.
“Assessments will get underway this morning in Overcome Heights and Khayelitsha following fires in these areas,” said Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell. “More details will be provided once the assessments are completed. Our NGO partners will assist with immediate humanitarian relief need.”
She said firefighting efforts had been scaled back in the deep south and the roads had been reopened, and fire crews were tending to hotspots.
