As Fire Displaces 145 Residents
CCN Online
Cape Town:- While Cape Town braces for a weekend of severe weather, tragedy has already struck for over 140 people in Silvertown, Khayelitsha
An early morning fire on Saturday reduced 45 homes to ashes.
Disaster Risk Management officials confirmed the fire ignited late Friday night and quickly swept through the informal settlement, leaving families homeless as heavy rains began to move into the region.
“Following an assessment by our teams Saturday morning, 45 structures were confirmed destroyed, displacing 145 people,” said Charlotte Powell, spokesperson for the City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre.
Emergency Relief Mobilised
The City of Cape Town has dispatched teams to clear debris and assess infrastructure damage. Meanwhile, humanitarian organisations including Gift of the Givers and The Salvation Army are delivering critical aid, hot meals, blankets, hygiene packs, and building materials.
Gift of the Givers’ project coordinator Ali Sablay says their teams remain on high alert, especially as the South African Weather Service upgraded its weather advisory to Level 4 on Friday afternoon.
“This disaster comes after a week of intense response operations across multiple informal settlements. Our teams are stretched but committed to helping families who have lost everything,” said Sablay.
He confirmed that additional teams were sent to Thembalethu, George, where another fire destroyed several more homes early Saturday morning. Relief efforts are under way there too.
Candle Suspected as Cause
Ward councillor Thando Pimpi suggested that the fire in Silvertown may have been caused by a candle, a common source of light for residents without electricity.
“Many here live without power. They rely on candles, which can quickly become deadly in cramped conditions,” he said. “Some residents are sheltering in churches or with relatives. It’s heartbreaking.”
Pimpi added that shortly after he left the area, another nearby structure also caught fire, but residents managed to extinguish the flames before it could spread.
Monitoring Weather Risk
The city’s Disaster Operations Centre remains on high alert. According to Powell, while no major weather-related emergencies had been reported by midday Saturday, this could change rapidly.
“Residents should remain vigilant,” she urged. “We’re monitoring all developments and coordinating closely with emergency services and aid organisations.”
For emergencies, residents are encouraged to call 021 480 7700, and for service-related requests, the city’s Customer Call Centre is available at 0860 103 089.
