A fire broke out in Mandela Park, Hout Bay, in the early hours of Sunday, July 5. The blaze caused havoc, and resulted in many structures being damaged, with residents losing their homes.
Thula Thula Hout Bay, a group of local residents representing all 3 demographical areas of Hout Bay who assist the Hout Bay community with various relief efforts at times of fire, flood and ocean related disasters, reported the fire.
“In the early hours of Sunday morning a fire broke out in Madiba Square,” they said in a Facebook post.
The City of Cape Town confirmed the incident saying, “A fire in Mandela Park, Hout Bay, gutted several shacks in the early hours of this morning, Sunday [July 5].”
“The City’s Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the fire in Holomisa Close around 1.40am. Crews from Constantia, Wynberg, Ottery, Sea Point, Roeland Street, Lakeside and Mitchells Plain fire stations were dispatched and fought the blaze until it was finally extinguished at 6.18am,” they explained.
As of 9am on July 5, Fire and Rescue were still damping out the last of the fire, according to Thula Thula.
“An estimated 20 structures have been damaged, but the number of people who have lost everything will only be known post onsite registration, as these structures were large and accommodated multiple families per structure,” said Thula Thula.
The organisation explained that for those who would like to assist, they are in need of non-perishable foods, men’s small size clothing, warm winter items, and blankets.
According to the city, no injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
Contact Thula Thula to donate.
Pictures: Facebook / Thula Thula Hout Bay