Residential fires in Cape Town have increased by 20% over the past 12 months, with 105 fatalities being recorded between January and June this year.
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The City stated that a majority of fires broke out between Saturdays and Mondays, when 80% of deaths occurred. Around 74% occurred between midnight and 6am, with 56% of the victims being adult males.
Nosiyabonga Malimke, a community activist from the Dunoon informal settlement of Thembini, said the fires made it difficult for residents to recover.
‘It destroys people’s homes, their belongings, and it disrupts their lives financially and is emotionally draining,’ said Malimke.
‘Some of the shacks are not built yet. They are still struggling with the budget, they budgeted for school and other stuff so they can’t afford to rebuild their shacks and I don’t know how long it will take,’ Malimke added.
Roscoe Jacobs, a community activist from Hout Bay, also said that the fires left psychological impacts on people.
‘One of the things that I have experienced when these things happen is that it affects people’s mental health and there isn’t a lot of focus on the impact that these fires have,’ said Jacobs.
A family of 19 from Tafelsig are still trying to ‘pick up the pieces’ after their house burnt down in June.
Laeeq Matthee (34), one of the victims, said that despite their ‘continued need for donations’ following the destruction, they had constructed a wendy house for some of the individuals who were sleeping in a car parked in their front yard.
Matthee said the fire had taken away ‘many things from them’, but they were thankful that there weren’t any fatalities.
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security, stated that the increase in residential fires indicated a need for ‘more education, awareness and conversations’ regarding fire risks.
He added that the City had worked to ensure its Fire and Rescue Service was well-functioning and that it can respond effectively in the event of a fire.
Smith added that the statistics were ‘not new’, but they served as a reminder that many fires were the result of negligence and tied to alcohol abuse.
‘These dangers have been highlighted time and again, but it bears repeating – if you are going to drink or use drugs, stay away from anything that is flammable, whether cooking or using candles for lighting, or even smoking a cigarette – especially in bed,’ said Smith.
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Picture: Ziyaad Douglas / Gallo Images