The community of Vyeboom Street, Bonteheuwel is still reeling after four people lost their lives in a fire over the weekend.
It started on the bottom floor of a double-story maisonette. The fire spread quickly, blocking the exit of occupants of the home.
Four adults died, the youngest 21, and six others were rushed to hospital with various injuries after jumping from the upstairs window. Angus McKenzie, local ward councillor, called this “a tragedy, and we will do everything we can to support these families, and we wish to pass our deepest condolences on to those affected. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.”
City of Cape Town spokesperson for emergency services, Jermaine Carelse confirmed the incident. “The City’s Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the incident by CCTV operators around 02:00 on Saturday,” he said.
“Crews from Epping were first on scene and were confronted by a house fully engulfed in flames and immediately started firefighting and search-and-rescue operations.”
Firefighters found the bodies of two men and two women who had sustained fatal burn wounds. “Four others – three adults and a minor – were taken to a nearby medical facility,” Carelse said.
“The fire was extinguished about 03:30. One formal dwelling was completely destroyed and two adjacent houses were partially damaged.”
If you want to assist the family who lost everything in the fire send an email to angus.mckenzie@capetown.gov.za
