Justin Sullivan Heartbreaking Photos: Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay Fire. Questions Raised. Prevention Needed.
A fire that started around midnight (unconfirmed) in Imizamo Yethu Informal Settlement, Hout Bay, has destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands homeless… writes Western Cape photographer JUSTIN SULLIVAN. In an update on Facebook Justin said City Fire and 2 helicopters are currently still bringing the blaze under control. “The scenes this morning were chaotic and […]
A fire that started around midnight (unconfirmed) in Imizamo Yethu Informal Settlement, Hout Bay, has destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands homeless… writes Western Cape photographer JUSTIN SULLIVAN.
In an update on Facebook Justin said City Fire and 2 helicopters are currently still bringing the blaze under control.
“The scenes this morning were chaotic and heartbreaking. Local communities were battling the fires using City fire hoses & water buckets in an attempt to dose the flames.
“The questions on the ground were – “Why aren’t the helicopters here to help us (8am)? Where are all the firefighters? When there is a small bush fire they deploy 3 helicopters and 100 firefighters, but here there is nothing!”
Helicopters are currently at the scene but the use of a drone by “some truly irresponsible person” could result in the withdrawal of all aerial support, according to a tweet by Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) just before 13h00. There have been at least nine reported fatalities.
Justin said: “There are many questions and answers to debate here, however at this point in time, the most important aspect to focus on is supporting the IY community.” (See details below.)
“What I can conclude from this situation is that we haven’t done enough to prevent this. We haven’t collectively devised effective disaster plans for Informal Settlement Fires and we haven’t engaged sufficiently with communities to deter away from actions of stoning emergency vehicles.
“Later this afternoon the community will need your support in moving their belongings. If you have the time to come down to Hout Bay, avoiding the main roads close to IY, please show your support.
“Our Prayers and thoughts are with all those affected.”
**Disclaimer: All Video, Photographic and Information content do not represent the views of any organisations mentioned. Information is based on unconfirmed reports and should not be taken as fact unless stated otherwise. All images are subject to copyright and may not be used without permission.
Please drop off donations (Food, Water, Blankets etc) at the following points: Thula Thula – 1 Day Road Out Bay /// Pick n Pays @ Hout Bay, Long Beach, Constantia & Camps Bay. /// DARG Also needs donations to assist with all the stray animals.
All Photos © Justin Sullivan. Republished here with kind permission of SullivanPhotography.
View more photos on Justin Sullivan’s pages:
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View more of Justin Sullivan’s photos of the fire here.
#HoutBay #HoutBayFire #traffic #CapeTown bumper to bumper traffic going into Hout Bay, Main Road. pic.twitter.com/FLcBWVQHuE
— Nigel Crawhall (@crawhall7) March 11, 2017
Helicopters still battling fire #HoutbayFire #eNCA pic.twitter.com/nxtcbmXhmC
— Aarti Narsee (@ajnarsee) March 11, 2017
Update 15h00: The Democratic Alliance (DA) has offered “sincere condolences to the families of nine people who lost their lives in the Hout Bay Fire since yesterday”. Acting Western Cape DA Leader Bonginkosi Madikizela is visiting the area today to offer assistance to those who have been affected.