Multiple informal settlement fires leave scores homeless in Western Cape

The City of Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management Centre and Gift of the Givers have responded to multiple locations following informal settlement fires, with more than 100 residents reported homeless following a blaze in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay.

The fire in Imizamo Yethu occurred on Christmas night, destroying around 50 structures.

Disaster Risk Management (DRM) spokesperson Sonica Lategan said officials would conduct assessments to determine the full extent of the damage, including the number of people affected, for reporting to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development.

"DRM will also activate its humanitarian relief partners to deliver immediate assistance to those in need."

Local ward councillor Roberto Quintas said no fatalities were reported so far.

"The fire has affected approximately fifty structures and more than one hundred residents of the Petersen Section of Imizamo Yethu. Experience has taught me that the number will likely be closer to two hundred people."

Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers confirmed that teams have been deployed to Imizamo Yethu to provide relief. Project manager Ali Sablay said the fire broke out as their teams were responding to other fires in the informal settlement in Paarl and Manenberg.

"Our teams were alerted by the Drakenstein Disaster Management Centre to a second fire, within a week, in Paarl. Teams remain on site to determine the exact number of people affected."

Drakenstein Municipality confirmed that the second fire, which occurred within a week at Thembani Informal Settlement in Mbekweni, broke out just after midnight on Friday, December 26, near Drommedaris Street, destroying nearly 14 informal dwellings.

"One person was treated on scene for smoke inhalation. Residents are urged to remain extremely cautious during this period of hot and windy weather, as these conditions significantly increase the risk of fires spreading rapidly," the municipality said in a statement.

This came after around 40 informal dwellings were destroyed in a fire that broke out at the same informal settlement on Saturday night, December 20, and left several families displaced.

Mr Sablay further said their team also responded to a fire in Vygieskraal, Manenberg, where backyard dwellings were alight.

Gift of the Givers said it was providing immediate humanitarian assistance to all three affected communities.