Bizcommunity.com adds its voice to the fire relief effort for Masiphumelele township, near Fish Hoek and Noordhoek.On Sunday, 29 November 2015, at 1am, the worst fire in terms of the scale of personal loss and number of people left homeless, raged through part of Masiphumelele, in high winds, leaving people literally running for their lives, unable to salvage anything.
According to latest estimates, upwards of 5000 people have been left homeless after over 1100 shacks burnt down. Two people died and countless pets perished in the inferno.
Firefighters and water-bombing helicopters managed to finally put out the fire mid-morning on Sunday and relief efforts, led by Western Cape Disaster Management and local emergency services and charities sprung into gear.
The Southern Peninsuala has seen its fair share of disasters this year, with the massive March fires, the worst in the Cape in decades, which burned over 5000 hectares of national park and practically cut off the Valley for three days. Then there were the riots in Masiphumelele two months ago after the brutal murder of a child galavanised the community to demand a police station and critical services. A fire near Simonstown two weeks ago further stretched emergency resources as four luxury houses and a holiday camp were torched in the latest fires.
Bizcommunity Contributing Editor and specialist journalist, Louise Marsland, who lives in the Valley, says this latest fire disaster came at the worst time, so close to Christmas. "The section that burnt down houses the poorest of the poor. This is a very caring community and when something like this happens, everyone gives and volunteers. It is incredible and so heartwarming. But the scale of this disaster is next level. Help is still needed."
Charities and fire stations in the area have been receiving donations from all over the province and have already started distributing goods to those affected. Cash donations can still be made to local organisations actively involved in the fire relief effort:
Living Hope Donations Mercynet Donations
