Devastating fire in Dunoon leaves thousands without homes

The screams of children and the splintering crash of wood and iron collapsing remain etched in the memories of mothers and residents of Site 5 in Dunoon.

A devastating fire tore through the informal settlement shortly after 9am on Friday, driven by strong winds that turned a small blaze into an uncontrollable inferno.

Community leader Zukiswe Kobe recalls freezing in shock as the flames surged towards her home.

“When I realised what was happening, I heard screams. Mothers were running with babies in their arms towards the Hypermarket on Potsdam Road,” she said.

Ms Kobe lost everything in the fire herself and described a profound sense of helplessness as community members turned to her for guidance.

“This fire was beyond anything you could have imagined. Some of us thought it was the end,” she said.

More than  a thousand dwellings were completely destroyed as the fast-moving blaze swept through the settlement, leaving an estimated 5 500 people homeless. 

Firefighters battled the flames on the ground while two helicopters were deployed for aerial water-bombing. The fire was finally brought under control at around 7pm, according to the City of Cape Town.

Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman said the blaze is believed to be the largest informal settlement fire in the Western Cape since the Khayelitsha fire of 2013.

“Residents returning home after a day’s work watched in disbelief as their possessions were reduced to ash. The sadness, anxiety, and sense of loss were overwhelming,” he said.

Tabletalk reported that firefighters had been assaulted, according to the City's Fire and Rescue Service spokesman, Jermaine Carelse (“Fire rages through Dunoon as strong winds hamper efforts,” Tabletalk, Friday, January 9).

But Ms Kobe said she was unaware of any such incident and that the community was deeply grateful for the response.

 “If it wasn’t for the firefighters, the City of Cape Town and Gift of the Givers, the people of Dunoon would be forsaken,” she said.

Gift of the Givers responded immediately, providing food, water, and comfort to displaced residents and emergency personnel. 

By Friday night, more than 3 000 residents and 220 public servants had been fed. Over the following days, thousands more received meals as relief operations continued, said Dr Sooliman.

As the community attempts to rebuild, attention has turned to the impact on children, said Ms Kobe.

“Many lost school uniforms, stationery, and books just days before the new school term. Some children, including children starting Grade 1 and matric pupils, face further challenges as identity documents and birth certificates were destroyed in the fire. Parents have expressed frustration over delays in replacing documentation,” she said.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis visited Site 5 on Saturday, January 10, accompanied by City officials, Gift Of The Givers, the Methodist Church of South Africa, and the Cape of Good Hope Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

He praised firefighters and frontline staff for their efforts under difficult conditions and confirmed that City teams were providing immediate support, including debris clearing, safety assessments and coordination with non-profit organisations.

No fatalities were recorded, he said.

Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said that the full extent of the damage was still being assessed, while inspectors evaluated the safety of nearby formal structures. 

Animal welfare organisations also responded, warning that pets and livestock are often the hidden victims in disasters of this scale.

Ms Kobe has appealed to the broader community for assistance, particularly for children preparing to return to school.

“The City is showing support, and Gift of the Givers has fed our people, but we still need help,” she said.

Those wishing to assist affected families in Dunoon can contact Ms Kobe on 067 694 8526.