Cape Town Mayor Commends Firefighters and Urges Residents to Take Extra Precautions | Western Cape Government

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Cape Town Mayor Commends Firefighters and Urges Residents to Take Extra Precautions

18 January 2011

Cape Town's fire season is keeping the City busy this year with a number of fires occurring on a daily basis. Yesterday's fire in Dunoon left some 300 residents without shelter and it took City Fire and Rescue Services almost four hours to bring the blaze under control. Fourteen fire engines were deployed from various fire stations and the fire was brought under control later in the evening.

The rapid response of Fire and Rescue Services prevented the fire from spreading to the adjacent industrial area.

No injuries have been reported and the City's disaster response teams provided the victims with the necessary disaster relief aid.

The fire was caused by a gas cylinder used for cooking purposes that overturned and ignited personal effects after which the flames spread rapidly.

"Even though this is a seasonal occurrence in our city, I encourage residents to be especially cautious when Cape Town is at a high risk for uncontrolled and runaway fires. The combination of high temperatures and gale force South-Easterly winds is a major contributing factor in the rapid spread of fires," said Mayor Plato.

The Mayor further extended his gratitude and encouragement to all staff of the Safety and Security Directorate, especially those in Fire and Rescue Services and Disaster Risk Management, that have been working long hours and putting their own lives in danger to make sure the city is kept safe this season.

"I urge all residents to please be careful, especially with the disposal of cigarette butts on the roads and vegetation and with the use of paraffin and gas stoves. Please report any fires immediately to the Public Emergency Call Centre on 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 from a cell phone," Mayor Plato added.

Mayor Plato expressed his condolences to the family, relatives, friends and colleagues of Henry Knox, a Tshwane Metro firefighter who died on duty during the floods that are raging in the north of our country. "This is another example of the level of dedication displayed by safety staff and the risks they are exposed to on a day-to-day basis", said Mayor Plato.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town

Media Enquiries: 

Rulleska Singh
Spokesperson for the Executive Mayor
Tel: 021 400 1257
Cell: 082 402 4825

Wilfred Solomons-Johannes
Head of Systems Integration & Special Projects
Disaster Risk Management Centre
Tel: 080 911 4357
Cell: 084 711 7709

Theo Layne
Spokesperson for Fire and Rescue Services
Tel: 021 590 1788
Cell: 079 059 1090