Latest news with #JermaineCarelse
IOL News
20-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Fire at Cissie Gool House displaces dozens and highlights housing failures in Cape Town
A fire displaced about 50 people at Cissie Gool, Woodstock, Cape Town. Image: Supplied A devastating fire ripped through a section of Cissie Gool House, formerly the Woodstock Hospital, in the early hours of Monday morning, displacing dozens of residents and reigniting criticism of the City of Cape Town's approach to housing, emergency preparedness and informal communities. 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. The damage caused by a fire at Cissie Gool, Woodstock, Cape Town. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 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. 'Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze by 7am,' said Carelse. 'Thankfully, no injuries were reported thanks to the swift response by both residents and emergency personnel. "A building inspector has been requested to assess whether the structural integrity has been compromised. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.' While the official displacement figure has not yet been confirmed, GOOD Party councillor Roscoe Palm and community activists say the fire has left closer to 50 people without shelter, bedding, or clothing, just as winter begins to bite. In a strongly worded statement, Palm condemned the City's failure to engage with the Cissie Gool House community and blamed the fire's impact on 'the continuing refusal to acknowledge and support' the hundreds of families living in the repurposed public hospital. 'This is not the first fire at Cissie Gool House. It is, however, another painful reminder of the City of Cape Town's failure to provide basic safety infrastructure,' Palm said. '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.' Palm called on the City's Disaster Management department to urgently provide trauma relief, blankets, warm clothing, and food for those displaced, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, and children. 'They are not invisible. They are not 'hijackers.' They are residents. Taxpayers. Human beings,' he said. 'Cissie Gool House has become a refuge for those displaced by systemic housing failures and the gentrification of Woodstock. This disaster did not have to happen.' Reclaim the City, the housing activist movement supporting Cissie Gool House residents, confirmed that the fire was initially contained to one section of the building but flared up again later in the morning. 'We thank those who continue to support this resilient and courageous community. We call on the City to act, not with evictions, but with empathy. This is a time for solidarity,' the movement said in a statement. Emergency accommodation has since been arranged in communal halls within the building. But many families remain without critical supplies. Some elderly residents with chronic health conditions now face winter temperatures with no mattresses, blankets, or warm clothing. Cooking gas and household supplies were also lost in the fire. Reclaim has urgently called for donations. To help those affected, the community has issued an urgent appeal for both financial support and in-kind donations. Bank donations can be made to: Standard Bank Account Name: Reclaim the City Account Number: 16-625-313-8 Branch Code: 020909 Reference: Fire Aid SnapScan**: [ In-kind donations needed: Blankets, mattresses, pillows; warm clothing for all ages; toiletries (soap, toothpaste, sanitary pads, washcloths) Dry and fresh food (e.g. rice, pasta, vegetables) Cooking gas and emergency repair materials. Drop-off location: Cissie Gool House, 77 Mountain Road, Woodstock, Cape Town For more information or to arrange donations, contact: Denver Arendse: 067 150 7143 or Elaine Diedericks: 079 728 6513
The Citizen
28-04-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Videos and photos: Relentless efforts to battle Table Mountain National Park blaze
Aerial resources and ground crews are working tirelessly to contain the fire burning in the Silvermine section of Table Mountain National Park, between Tokai and Noordhoek in the southern peninsula. Helicopters have been working the fire line on Constantiaberg for several hours, with firefighters battling strengthening winds as the fire moved into dense stands of invasive vegetation. In a post on Facebook, Parkscape – an NPO protecting urban forests, cultural landscapes and biodiversity around Table Mountain National Park – reported that choppers have been diverted to the slopes above Stonehurst, where strong westerly winds are pushing the fire east above the naval base. Several hectares of dense invasive thickets there pose a significant risk. 'The fire has evidently run again down Muizenberg and Lakeside slopes, driven by the wind. 'Watching the chopper pilots work in challenging conditions is a remarkable sight. So much kudos and gratitude to all these men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our homes and lives,' the organisation said. Video: Parkscape/Facebook Video: Westlake Golf Club/Facebook The organisation said it was 'a very smoky day' that dawned this morning over Cape Town. This morning, the fire was creeping slowly north along the Constantiaberg towards Vlakkenberg. 'It continues to move down the slope above the naval barracks from Silvermine East, and it is expected to continue moving downslope. It is still burning above Ou Kaapse Weg,' the organisation said. Video: Parkscape/Facebook At 13:00 today, Jermaine Carelse, the spokesperson for the City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service, said 'the situation is still fluid and four choppers are water bombing the area'. 'Currently, the Tokai area is of concern as thick and dry vegetation is aiding the spread of the fire. 'This fire is not contained, and we urge the public to stay away from the areas in question. 'We are closely monitoring the situation, and road closures remain in place.' Closures include: Main Road and Boyes Drive Main Road, Lakeside Main and Clairvaux roads Noordhoek and Old Kaapse Weg/Boyes Drive Steenberg and Tokai roads near the circle Tokai and Zwaanswyk roads Video: Winelands Fire Protection Association Approximately 250 firefighters from various agencies have been working tirelessly to contain the fire in Upper Tokai, in Table Mountain National Park, which broke out on Friday and has affected several areas. The fire was largely contained until yesterday, when it intensified significantly due to a sudden shift in wind direction and increased wind speeds. Animal welfare NPOs on the ground The Cape of Good Hope SPCA posted earlier today that they are looking for Holly – a much-loved Daxi cross – who got scared during the fire evacuations and fled near Table Mountain National Park Gate 1. 'We have met with Holly's owner and taken him with us into the search area, but water bombing has resumed, and we've had to vacate again. We will be back in the area as soon as possible. Please keep sharing any information or leads you have,' the organisation said. Table Mountain on morning is like a Vietnam War movie scene with choppers and spotter planes everywhere and fire trucks and cops screaming their sirens — Polythene Pam 🪺 (@kanniekaknie) April 28, 2025 25-27.04.2025#SouthAfrica Firefighters are trying to contain a #fire raging in the Table Mountain National Park area. Around 200 households, including dozens of pensioners in #Noordhoek, have been evacuated as a precaution due to the fire. @geordinhl @TableMountainNP — Climate Review (@ClimateRe50366) April 28, 2025 Just drove home now and fire is CRAZY across Table Mountain and also on the mountains to the left of us – have never seen it this bad… — brett Fish anderson (@BrettFishA) April 27, 2025 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Time Out
28-04-2025
- Climate
- Time Out
Cape Town fires: How you can assist
Over the Freedom Day long weekend, emergency services and our heroic firefighters have been battling the fires which have engulfed the mountains around Tokai, Silvermine, Noordhoek and surrounding areas. In addition, the Animal Welfare Society of South Africa and SPCA have been hard at work assisting the critters affected, with a joint effort across the board aiming to mitigate the extent of the natural disaster. Helicopters have been flown in from both Stellenbosch and George to assist in the firefighting efforts, while the teams on the ground in the affected areas are in need of assistance to keep both their spirits high and bodies nourished. Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town 's Fire and Rescue Service, said in a statement on Monday morning: "No major flare ups were reported overnight. Choppers will be airborne after an assessment. One female firefighter was injured and taken to hospital. "As of last night (Sunday, 27 April) the fire was creeping down Boyes Drive, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek side, while on the Ou Kaapse Weg side it moved towards Noordhoek. Crews remained on the fire line throughout the night. We are closely monitoring the situation and urge the public to stay away from these areas. "An Incident Management Team Type 3 has been activated and will work on a 12 hour rotation. This provides greater oversight in managing the incident. Road closures remain in place. Donations in the form of water, energy drinks and bars, as well as non-perishable items may be dropped off at Lakeside Fire Station." If you are in a position to help, the firefighters and animal rescuers require the supplies mentioned above, as well as pet food, wound ointment, bandages, blankets, towels and newspaper, which can also be dropped off at the Lakeside Fire Station. In addition, there are an estimated 150 emergency services personnel on site, so any hot meals would be greatly appreciated. Unless you find yourself in an emergency, please stay off the roads surrounding the fires, as emergency teams need to navigate the area as quickly as possible. Should you require assistance, please take note of the emergency numbers below:
The South African
28-04-2025
- Climate
- The South African
LATEST: Smokey day dawns over Cape Town, female firefighter injured
No major flare-ups of the fire currently blazing on the Constantiaberg mountains were reported overnight, says Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City's Fire & Rescue Service. The fire is creeping slowly north along the Constantiaberg towards Vlakkenberg. It continues to move down the slope above the naval barracks from Silvermine East, and it is expected to continue moving downslope. It is still burning above Ou Kaapse Weg. Aerial resources were mobilised at first-light on Monday morning The fire that broke out on Friday burned hot and fast, engulfing Boyes Drive, Kalk Bay and parts of Fish Hoek side, while on the Ou Kaapse Weg side, it moved towards Noordhoek resulting in the DRM assisting with the evacuation of 198 households from the Noordhoek Manor, including 48 frail care residents. One female firefighter was injured and taken to the hospital. The following road closures are in place and the public is requested to stay off the roads to allow free-flowing access for emergency vehicles: – Zwaanswyk road – Closed at Tokai road. Traffic officers are directing traffic – Ou Kaapse Weg – Closed – Boyes Drive – Closed Use Chapman's Peak as an alternative – Chapman's Peak – Open – Main road Kalk Bay – Open The City of Cape Town has issued a call for public support, asking for donations to sustain the firefighters working under extreme conditions. The immediate needs for the crews include: Bottled water Nutritional drinks such as Energade and Powerade such as Energade and Powerade Energy bars Saline-based eye drops to alleviate discomfort caused by smoke and ash Officials emphasised the importance of keeping firefighters hydrated and energised as they face gruelling conditions on the fire lines. Those wishing to assist are asked to deliver donations to designated collection points set up by the City. Those donation points include: Newlands Fire Base Lakeside fire station Hair Gallery – 41 Tokai Road Pick n Pay Steenberg Village SPCA emergency teams are on standby, ready to move into the fire zone the moment it is safe to search for and rescue animals who may be trapped, injured, and fighting for survival. Once we can access the area, it will be a race against time to save those we can. If you need urgent help evacuating pets, please call immediately on 083 326 1604. Public Safety Notice: Ou Kaapse Weg is closed in both directions. All hikers and mountain bikers must avoid Upper Tokai and Silvermine. Anyone still in Silvermine West (Gate 1) or Silvermine East (Gate 2) must evacuate now. Ground crews and helicopters are battling this fire with everything they've got. We stand ready to do the same – for every animal whose life depends on us. HOW YOU CAN HELP Donate to fuel our search and rescue efforts. Stay clear of closed areas for your own safety. If you live nearby, place shallow dishes of water outside, with rocks in them so that small animals can safely drink without the risk of drowning. If you find an injured animal, please call the SPCA urgently on 083 326 1604. If it is safe to do so, contain the animal in a ventilated cardboard box, away from pets and high-traffic areas. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
