Fire destroys 60 homes in Cape Town's Imizamo Yethu settlement

A blaze ignited at about 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday in the Imizamo Yethu informal settlement, Hout Bay, Cape Town, and quickly spread through Madiba Square in Mandela Park. Firefighters contained the fire by mid‑morning, but the flames destroyed an estimated 50‑60 structures, leaving hundreds of residents homeless. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

City officials and humanitarian groups responded. The City of Cape Town confirmed the fire was under control by 10:25 a.m. and began coordinating relief. Gift of the Givers activated an emergency response, supplying food, blankets, clothing and hygiene items to affected families and setting up donation drop‑off points. Residents, many of whom are unemployed, are seeking assistance to rebuild homes and replace lost documents.

Community leaders described repeated fire damage in recent weeks and urged municipal and NGO support for reconstruction and basic needs.