Residents Flee as Huge Fire Burns Hundreds of Homes in Western Cape, South Africa
South African firefighters have been battling since the early hours of this morning to put out a huge fire in Mandela Park in Imizamo Yethu informal settlement, greater Hout Bay Valley, Western Cape. There have reportedly been two fatalities. Witnesses describe terrible scenes as residents rush to escape and save their lives, running with whatever personal […]
South African firefighters have been battling since the early hours of this morning to put out a huge fire in Mandela Park in Imizamo Yethu informal settlement, greater Hout Bay Valley, Western Cape. There have reportedly been two fatalities.
Witnesses describe terrible scenes as residents rush to escape and save their lives, running with whatever personal possessions they can carry – from TVs and mattresses to their pets, including “scared dogs”. Neighbouring communities are trying to help people carry their furniture and clothes.
Those fleeing in vehicles are unfortunately causing congestion for firefighting trucks trying to reach the fire which is burning houses further up the hill.
Thula Thula Hout Bay said hundreds of homes have been destroyed as fire and rescue attempts have been hampered by poor accessibility and extremely dry conditions (as the Western Cape continues to suffer from drought conditions).
The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service are doing all they can to bring the fire under control. Aerial resources are trying to slow the fire with water drops.
Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) said “many, many structures have and are currently burning”.
Freelance journalist Aletta Harrison described it as a “terrible day for many families”.
She said she could hear “what sounds like exploding gas bottles every now and again”, which VWS pointed out is increasing the risk for firefighters and the community.
The heavy smoke is hanging over Constantia Valley.
The public is urged to please keep away from the area as onlookers are blocking roads for emergency vehicles and hampering fire fighting operations.
The drop off point for donations is at Thula Thula Main Road Hout Bay: Toiletries, non perishable foods, clothing and bedding will be needed to assist the hundreds who have lost everything, says Thula Thula: www.facebook.com/thulathulahoutbay/
UPDATES: Over 650 shacks and 2,400 people have been displaced… See More at these links:
Heartbreaking photos by Justin Sullivan of #ImizamoYethuFire #HoutBayFire
Please help the stricken families of Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay Valley, Fire plus Video
The battle facing @cptfrs firefighters at #ImizamoYethuFire this morning. Many many structures have and are currently burning.#HoutBay pic.twitter.com/9Si9lHSgPi
— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) March 11, 2017
Very sadly, a huge fire continues to burn in #ImizamoYethuFire. @cptfrs are making all efforts to bring it under control. pic.twitter.com/0msdaRbooj
— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) March 11, 2017
Terrible scenes here as people try to escape with some key possessions – tvs, mattresses, pets #imizamoyethu #ImizamoYethuFire #houtbay pic.twitter.com/Mjk99qpkxG
— Aletta Harrison (@AlettaHarrison) March 11, 2017
Congestion as people flee with possessions means fire engines can't get through #imizamoyethu #houtbay pic.twitter.com/9hb7dmcJ4z
— Aletta Harrison (@AlettaHarrison) March 11, 2017
Quick video from #ImizamoYethu fire pic.twitter.com/N57hvbwPmR
— Aletta Harrison (@AlettaHarrison) March 11, 2017
#MandelaPark Scared dogs are being carried to safety. Residents taking furniture out of their homes in case fire spreads. @MoniqueMortlock pic.twitter.com/dEPzj2BcrF
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 11, 2017
Wooded area alight & some propane bottle explosions. Mild southeasterly wind taking smoke up Constantia Nek. Keep roads clear. #HoutBay pic.twitter.com/PpbsRcrIUt
— Penny Haw (@PennyHaw) March 11, 2017
#ImizamoYethu right now – I can hear what sounds like exploding gas bottles every now and again #hourtbay #imizamoyethufire pic.twitter.com/eFNbBYLMpf
— Aletta Harrison (@AlettaHarrison) March 11, 2017
Drop off point for donations for all affect by huge #ImizamoYethu fire is at Thula Thula – https://t.co/PJfiMKckjB Pic: @ptypk. @KFMza pic.twitter.com/RWSeJyrDaI
— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) March 11, 2017
Watch fire raging in upper parts of Imizamo Yethu, filmed by local resident
Update noon, Saturday:
[WATCH] Reporter @ajnarsee provides more on massive blaze in the #ImizamoYethu informal settlement in #HoutBay where two people have died. pic.twitter.com/W3I6JRljC1
— eNCA (@eNCA) March 11, 2017
Residents say this is where the fire started #eNCA #HoutbayFire pic.twitter.com/IA9IrqYdQH
— Aarti Narsee (@ajnarsee) March 11, 2017
Some truly irresponsible person with a #drone is about to get all aerial support withdrawn from the #ImizamoYethuFire #MandelaPark! pic.twitter.com/N98SUzBucU
— VWS Wildfires (@vwsfires) March 11, 2017
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Heartbreaking photos by Justin Sullivan of #ImizamoYethuFire #HoutBayFire
Please help the stricken families of Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay Valley, Fire plus Video