Caledon Hospital fire extinguished swiftly | Western Cape Government

News

News

Caledon Hospital fire extinguished swiftly

23 April 2021

At 22:00 on 22 April 2021, a fire broke at Caledon Provincial Hospital affecting one of the wards in the hospital. Overberg Fire Rescue was activated and Caledon Fire Station as well as Grabouw Fire station backed up by Bredasdorp Fire station responded.

Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape says on arrival one ward was alight on the Western side of the hospital.

“The hospital staff had already executed their disaster plan and the areas closest to the fire were evacuated swiftly. The fire services were able to contain the fire to one ward only, thereby preventing further damage to the hospital. No patients or staff were injured during the incident”, says Bredell. 

Bredell says by midnight all affected patients had been moved back inside the hospital and placed in unaffected wards.

“By 01h30 after extensive cooling down and opening of roof spaces, the fire was declared out and units stood down.”

According to District Director for the Department of Health in the Overberg, Wilma Kamfer, the fire was contained within minutes.

"I would like to thank the Caledon Fire and Rescue Services and Overberg Disaster Management team for their swift response to our call and containment of the fire in a matter of minutes. Thank you to the staff for remaining calm and ensuring that the patients remained safe. We reassure all the families of these patients that they are safe and continue to receive quality care."

The cause of the fire is still unclear, and is being investigated.

Media Enquiries: 

1. James-Brent Styan

Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell

Mobile:                   084 583 1670

Telephone:            021 483 2820

E-mail:                    James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za

 

2. Roché Butler

Communications Officer, Overberg District Western Cape Government: Health

Telephone:         028 214 5833

E-mail:                Roche.Butler@westerncape.gov.za