- More than 200 houses have been destroyed in a devastating fire in Philippi.
- A woman died inside her house.
- Residents said they were “very sad” that this is how their new year began.
It’s a bleak start to 2023 as a woman was killed and more than 200 homes destroyed after a devastating fire tore through the informal settlement of Polar Park in Philippi in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Cape Town fire and rescue spokesman Jermaine Carelse said the woman suffered fatal burns. Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 02:40.
“Several teams were dispatched and the first officer to arrive confirmed that numerous structures were burning. More than 50 firefighters battled the fire, which was brought under control around 06:00,” Carelse added.
The Gift of the Givers humanitarian organization said it received calls from community members requesting urgent assistance. Ali Sablay, of the organization, said that when they arrived at the place they discovered that it was “worse than we thought”.
“People lost everything. The situation is dire. When people saw the team arriving, they rushed to the vehicles to ask for help. Many of the mothers got excited when they started telling us that all their children’s new clothes and stationery they burned”. Sablay said.
While Carelse said the cause of the fire was unknown at this time, Polar Park committee chair Teenage Mtiyane, 49, told News24 that the fire started at the home of the deceased woman.
“He died inside his house with the gas stove [on] And that’s how the fire started and spread,” he said. “Unfortunately, the wind also did its part in moving the flames to other parts of the community, which has left more than 200 people without [shelter].”
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According to Mtiyane, many of the residents lost their Stokvel money, food, clothes, documents and school supplies in the fire.
“There are people who have gone to other provinces to spend their holidays and we must inform them that their houses were destroyed in the fire,” he said.
Thandazwa Mpontshane was not home when the fire broke out. She said she was “extremely heartbroken” when she arrived at the property to see that her home had been destroyed.
“I’ve lost absolutely everything. I only have the clothes I’m wearing left. I have no idea where my son and I will go from here. It’s stressful to even think about it as a new year begins.” Mponshane added.
Tembela Getze, 43, came home from church to find that her house and belongings had gone up in smoke.
“It’s very sad because all my things were inside my house. I can’t make food for my three children, I don’t know where we go from here. Eish,” said an emotional Getze.
The Gift of the Givers said it would remain on the scene until the full extent of the damage was assessed.
Carelse said emergency crews were on the scene carrying out cleanup operations.
Western Cape Police were also on the scene and your comment will be added upon receipt.
