900 left displaced as fire rages in three informal settlements in the Cape

The City of Cape Town says 900 people have been left displaced following a fire that broke out over the weekend, at three informal settlements in Seawinds, Wallacedene and Phillipi.

‘’The Disaster Risk Management Centre has been coordinating and made assessments following three informal settlement fires late yesterday [Sunday] and early this morning [Monday]. In Seawinds,135 structures were destroyed; 60 structured in Jim Se Bos, and in Wallacedene 45 structures were destroyed,’’ said Charlotte Powell, City of Cape Town’s Disaster Risk Management spokesperson.

‘’Our NGO partners, Gift of the Givers and Islamic Relief SA will provide mattresses, hot meals , blankets, baby care  packs , clothing and toiletry packs. Officials from the Electricity Department, Informal Settlements Management, Water & Sanitation, and Solid Waste Management will  do onsite assessments to assess the extent of infrastructure damage caused by the fires,’’ she added.

Firefighters in Cape Town have been hard at work, trying to put out numerous fires that has been fueled by the South-Easterly wind.

The South African Weather Service has issued a level 2 warning for damaging waves, as well as a yellow level 3 warning for damaging winds, that is expected to persist into Tuesday.

Fire crews managed to contain the wildfires that has been raging in Simon’s Town and Glencairn, last week

On Sunday afternoon, fire crews responded to a vegetation fire along the R27 near Melkbosstrand. On Monday, firefighters also dealt with a vegetation fire on the M5, between Ottery and Kenilworth.

PHOTO - Facebook - JP Smith: Aerial view of vegetation fire on M5

‘’Given the prevailing weather conditions and the associated risks, the Chief Fire Officer has put out a call that all available off duty staff should report to their Fire Stations,’’ said Jermaine Carelse, City of Cape Town’s Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson.

He appealed to the public to please be cautious when working with open flames or any flammable substances.

‘’Also, if you see anything that looks like it could be a fire, please report it and don’t assume that someone else has. You can call the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline,’’ said Carelse.

 

Done By: Mitchum George