CAPE TOWN NURSING HOME GUTTED BY MAY DAY FIRE

Elderly residents of Sherwood House nursing home in Kenilworth lost their belongings after a fire burnt parts of the home on Monday morning. 

After the fire started, 35 nursing home residents and five employees were evacuated. 

According to The City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, they received a call close to one am about a building alight on Sherwood Avenue. He added that the cause of the fire had not yet been determined, and no injuries were reported. 

According to Ward councilor, Katherine Christie, the fire started in the Old Victorian wing of the home, which prompted the nursing home staff to call for help. Christie said the fire destroyed the beds and the belongings of all the residents in the Old Victorian wing. 

Some residents were taken care of by neighbors during the blaze before being escorted to the Newlands Sun Hotel, where they spent the night.

In a Facebook post made by the home, staff expressed their gratitude for the staff who helped residents get to safety. 

"We want to assure you that all our residents were safely evacuated by our dedicated staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure their safety and wellbeing,” said the post. 

 

Done by: Thaakiera Ackerdien