FIRE LEAVES MENSE HOMELESS

A devastating fire ripped through a section of Cissie Gool House in the early hours of Monday morning, leaving dozens of mense without shelter as a bitter cold front hit the Cape.

According to the City’s Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, an emergency call was received at 3.35am, reporting the fire at the Mountain Road property in Woodstock.

Fire crews from Roeland Street, Sea Point, Salt River and Milnerton stations were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, they encountered flames engulfing the first floor, with the fire having broken through the roof. Aerial firefighting equipment had to be deployed to contain the blaze.

Carelse says: “Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by 7am.

“Thankfully, no injuries were reported thanks to the swift response by both residents and emergency personnel.”The disaster at the old Woodstock Hospital has reignited criticism of the City of Cape Town’s approach to housing, emergency preparedness and informal communities.

While the official displacement figure has not yet been confirmed, GOOD Party councillor Roscoe Palm blamed the fire's impact on “the continuing refusal to acknowledge and support” the hundreds of families living in the repurposed public hospital.

He adds: “The ongoing absence of essential fire safety equipment is a direct result of negligence. Residents have long requested fire extinguishers and basic services. The City has ignored them.”

To help those affected, the community has issued an urgent appeal for both financial support and in-kind donations.

For more information or to arrange donations, contact: Denver Arendse: 067 150 7143 or Elaine Diedericks: 079 728 6513