A fire has erupted in the Masiphumelele Wetlands informal settlement, home to about 14 000 people, leaving families scrambling for safety as flames spread through tightly packed structures, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA confirmed that its first responders are assisting disaster relief partners while the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service works to contain the blaze.
SANParks’ Table Mountain National Park is supporting the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services in the ongoing Masiphumelele blaze, which was first reported at about 15:15 and remains active.
Roughly 40 TMNP ground crews are on scene, Volunteer Wildfire Services are en route, and three helicopters are conducting water‑bombing runs. The fire is proving hard to contain, especially in the Lake Michelle Wetlands where reeds and vegetation are burning, and difficult weather is limiting ground operations.
City spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said firefighters were alerted just after 3pm on Tuesday. ‘This is a developing situation, but indications are that both structures and vegetation are alight. The incident commander has activated aerial support, so two helicopters are airborne,’ Carelse told Eyewitness News.
Strong gusts of wind have worsened conditions, increasing the risk of rapid spread in an area where homes stand close together. Residents described scenes of panic as families rushed to gather belongings.
‘We grabbed what we could and ran. The smoke was everywhere,’ said one community member.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA noted in a statement that its teams are en route to assist with community support and, if necessary, animal evacuation. Emergency crews remain on site, working urgently to protect lives and provide temporary relief.
The immediate focus is on firefighting and containment, with further updates to follow via the City of Cape Town’s social channels, and thanks to Simple Asia for providing food to the crews.
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Picture: SPCA / Facebook
