A devastating blaze that tore through Site 5 in Dunoon has displaced an estimated 5,500 people and destroyed over 1,000 informal dwellings, making it the most severe fire in a Western Cape informal settlement since Khayelitsha’s 2013 disaster, Cape Argus has reported.

Among those affected is Emihle Kanityi, who was at work when the fire broke out on Friday morning. Returning home, she found her shack – and everything inside it – reduced to ash, including her children’s school uniforms and stationery prepared for the start of the new academic year.

“It started around 9am when many people were at work and could do nothing to protect their property,” she said. “We have nothing left.”

While the new school year is set to begin soon, Kanityi noted that the focus remains on immediate survival, as aid groups work to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and sanitation.

Scale of the Disaster

Gift of the Givers founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, described the blaze as “the biggest informal settlement fire in the province in over a decade.” He confirmed that more than 1,000 structures had been “totally obliterated,” turning thousands into “refugees in their own space.”

Strong winds accelerated the spread of the fire, forcing emergency crews to deploy two helicopters for aerial water-bombing. The fire was eventually extinguished by around 7pm on Friday.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis praised the efforts of firefighters and emergency personnel, who battled tough conditions to bring the inferno under control. “This was a terrible fire, which our firefighters bravely fought to get under control,” he said.

R12 Million Set Aside for Reblocking

In response to the crisis, the City of Cape Town has allocated R12 million for urgent reblocking efforts – a process that involves reconfiguring informal settlements to create safer, more structured living conditions.

Mayco Member for Human Settlements, Carl Pophaim, acknowledged the trauma residents are facing and the deep mistrust caused by previous delays and unfulfilled promises. “The City is ready to proceed with contractors on standby,” he said.

However, tensions have arisen on the ground, with some residents rejecting the reblocking plans. City officials have since paused their presence in the area to avoid conflict, but say they remain committed to working with the community and other government stakeholders to deliver long-term housing solutions.

Ongoing Relief and Support

Humanitarian aid continues to pour in from civil society groups, while residents begin salvaging what little remains of their homes. Some have already started rebuilding using materials pulled from the rubble, unwilling to wait for formal assistance.

Animal welfare has also become a concern. The Cape of Good Hope SPCA activated a large-scale disaster response to assist pets and stray animals affected by the fire, reminding the public that animals are often overlooked during disasters.

So far this summer, the Western Cape has authorised 38 aerial firefighting missions, spending an estimated R15 million on air support.

As Dunoon counts the cost of this tragedy, recovery efforts are expected to continue for weeks, with residents urging authorities to act swiftly and transparently in rebuilding their lives.

IOL News

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