Hundreds of pupils and staff had to be evacuated from the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Primary School on Thursday afternoon after a fire mysteriously broke out.
Ambulances, paramedics and dozens of firefighters arrived at the school on Keizergracht Street in Walmer Estate to find a building on fire.
“Paramedics, as well as a City of Cape Town Metro officer, began to evacuate the children while firefighters began to battle the raging blaze,” says ER24 spokesman, Russel Meiring.
In a dramatic few minutes, hundreds of pupils and staff were escorted out of the building and watched as firefighters extinguished the blaze.
Meiring says while evacuating the children, the Metro officer suffered mild smoke inhalation.
“The officer was treated and transported to a nearby private hospital for treatment.”
There were no other injuries, he says.
Theo Layne, the City’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesman, confirmed there have been no reports of injuries and says they do not know the cause of the fires yet.
“The City’s Fire and Rescue Services responded to Keizergracht Street where they were dealing with a fire at Holy Cross School,” he says.
“Eight vehicles and 27 firefighters responded and the cause of the fire is undetermined at this stage. All learners and teachers were successfully evacuated. No-one has been injured.”
After the fire, this plea for help when out:
Dear Zonnebloemmers, Holy Cross Primary urgently needs your help. There are 150 kids from very poor homes who absolutely rely on the school’s feeding scheme which burnt down today. The maize meal, bowls, spoons, everything is gone. We won’t be able to get bowls and porridge in time for tomorrow, BUT if everyone pulls together I’m sure we can give 150 kids each a sandwich for breakfast. You can either drop off a couple of ready-made sandwiches, or you can come to the Holy Cross church kitchen and help us make sandwiches at 6:40am tomorrow. If 20 people each bring ONE loaf, we’ll have enough.