A devastating fire ripped through the historic Cissie Gool House in Woodstock during the early hours of Monday morning, leaving 16 people displaced and raising new concerns about the vulnerability of Cape Town’s housing-insecure communities.
According to Smile FM, emergency services responded just after 3:30am, with multiple fire crews from Roeland Street, Sea Point, Salt River, and Milnerton called in to tackle the inferno. According to Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse, an aerial firefighting unit was deployed as flames consumed the building’s roof. The blaze was finally extinguished by 7am.
Though miraculously no injuries were reported, significant structural damage was sustained—particularly on the first floor. A building inspector has since been dispatched to evaluate whether the site is still safe for occupation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The building, which was previously a hospital and has since become a symbol of the housing movement in Cape Town, is home to families affiliated with the Reclaim the City campaign. Many of those who lived there are elderly or come from precarious socio-economic backgrounds.
In response, the housing justice organisation Ndifuna Ukwazi announced that temporary relief is being coordinated through Reclaim the City, with displaced residents currently being housed in communal halls nearby. But the group warns that resources are running low.
They’re appealing to the public to help, particularly as colder nights set in. Urgently needed items include blankets, mattresses, pillows, soap, toothpaste, gas for cooking, and non-perishable food.
This situation is not unique as families were displaced back in 2022 when the Cissie Gool House caught fire.
Cash donations can be made to Reclaim the City via Standard Bank (Account No: 16-625-313-8, Branch Code: 020909) or via SnapScan using the reference ‘FireAid.’ Those who wish to donate physical goods can deliver them directly to Cissie Gool House at 77 Mountain Road, Woodstock.
For further details, members of the public can contact Denver Arendse on 067 150 7143 or Elaine Diedericks on 079 728 6513.
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Picture: GOOD / X
