Hout Bay fire: 50 structures destroyed in Imizamo Yethu blaze
A fire early Tuesday morning destroyed approximately 50 informal structures in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, while community interference and minor injuries to two firefighters were reported before the blaze was contained.
On Tuesday, a fire ravaged 50 informal structures in Imizamo Yethu, a settlement located in Hout Bay. The blaze ignited around 1:30 am, prompting the City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Services to dispatch approximately 40 firefighters to the scene. The fire was subdued by 7:45 am, with preliminary reports indicating that around 50 informal structures had been destroyed. Law enforcement officers were called to assist as some community members interfered with the emergency responders.
The fire's cause remains unknown. Jermaine Carelse, a spokesperson for the fire department, noted that two firefighters sustained minor injuries during the firefighting efforts and were treated on-site; neither required hospitalization. No fatalities were reported.
Meanwhile, on Monday, a separate fire broke out in the Overcome Heights informal settlement. Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell announced that a post-fire assessment would be conducted on Tuesday. The initial assessment suggests that 60 informal dwellings were destroyed, impacting 180 people, as well as four formal dwellings where 35 individuals were affected.
Once the comprehensive assessment is completed, Disasters Risk Management plans to collaborate with Sassa and the National Department of Human Settlements to provide necessary aid to the affected residents.
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