Hout Bay blaze: one of the worst CT informal settlement fires

Acting City of Cape Town executive mayor Alderman Ian Neilson has said the fire that raged in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, “is believed to be one of the worst informal settlement fires that we have experienced to date”.

By Monday, the fire had spread to Karbonkelberg, Sandy Bay and Llandudno.

On Tuesday morning, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) tweeted that there were cooler temperatures and lower winds, but warned that a shift in winds could be problematic. The nonprofit, fully volunteer company, further tweeted that a number of hotspot areas remained in Karbonkelberg and crews from Table Mountain National Park, VWS and Cape Peninsula Fire Protection Association had worked throughout Monday night trying to extinguish the blaze.

Neilson said in a statement, published on the City of Cape Town website: “It would appear that 4 500 structures were razed and approximately 15 000 residents have been affected. Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the three victims who died in the fire. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this stage.”

City of Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille also added her voice to the Imizamo Yethu situation, saying on Twitter that although she was abroad on official business she had been monitoring it closely and was directing operations with the mayoral committee of the City of Cape Town (Mayco).

According to Neilson, the City and its civic partners were working “nonstop to provide relief to our residents in Imizamo Yethu after the devastating fire which occurred over the weekend” and that officials remained onsite.

He said it was expected that the City’s solid waste management department would take at least a week to clear debris and that the site needs to be levelled and redesigned, which would also take about a week, while water and electricity services were being reinstated and should be resumed soon.

Further, the City’s informal settlements management department was verifying the legitimate fire-affected beneficiaries, based on a recent survey. “Due to the scale of the fire, it may take some time before all residents receive their building kits, however, the City is doing everything in our power to ensure that this happens as quickly as possible,” said Neilson.

“It is foreseen that the City will attempt to establish several large-scale reblocked areas which will be surrounded by fire breaks, pedestrian walkways, and peripheral water, sanitation and electricity services. The City will, in this way, be able to enhance access to emergency and other services. However, due to steep terrain, the construction of the access routes will require the cooperation of the community to make the required spaces available. The City has discussed this with the community and its leaders.”

Neilson further pointed to the donations that have been collected and distributed.

“From a humanitarian relief perspective, the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre is coordinating efforts through its nongovernmental partners: the Red Cross Society, the Mustadafin Foundation and Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI),” said Nelison.

He listed the following items that had been distributed:

• Red Cross Society: 8 000 meals, 8 000 blankets, vanity packs, 200 baby packs and 1 000 mattresses
• HDI: 6 000 meals, 6 000 blankets, 200 baby packs, vanity packs
• Mustadafin Foundation: 6 000 meals, 6 000 blankets, vanity packs and 200 baby packs

He added the Thula Thula Foundation was managing community donations that were received from the public.

Many people have taken to social media to circulate messages of how community members could assist with the donations for the fire.

ALSO READ: Donations pour in for Hout Bay residents as fires continue to rage

According to Neilson, donations most needed are: nonperishable food items, wet wipes, disposable nappies (all sizes), water, toiletries, school clothing, baby clothing and stationery.

The Western Cape government on Twitter further thanked everyone who assisted in the relief efforts for those who were affected by the devastating fire:

An image of the raging Karbonkelberg fire on Sunday was captured by Taryn Schambacher and shared by Hout Bay News on Twitter:

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.