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- A fire broke out at Cissie Gool House in Cape Town on Thursday evening.
- The residents were evacuated, and no fatalities were reported.
- The affected residents are in need of food, water, mattresses and bedding.
Residents of Cissie Gool House in Woodstock, Cape Town, had to evacuate the building following a fire on Thursday evening.
The City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene of the fire in Victoria Road, Woodstock, at 18:53.
"Crews from Salt River and Roeland Street were dispatched. Upon arrival it was confirmed to be the Woodstock Community Centre. Additional resources were requested," Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said.
He added that five firefighting appliances, including aerial appliances, and 19 staff members were on the scene.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Member of the Western Cape Legislature Brett Herron said Cissie Gool House was one of five public land sites, in the custody of the City, released for affordable housing in the inner city.
He said:
READ | Firefighters, aerial support battle to suppress Western Cape fires
He said if the redevelopment project at the old Woodstock Hospital had not been cancelled, these families would have been living in safe, dignified, affordable and integrated housing on the same site.
There has been a fire at Cissie Gool House - as far as we know no one has been hurt but will need donations of food, water, mattresses and bedding. Please bring them directly to CGH (77 Mountain Road, Woodstock) or contact Fagmeedah +27 83 749 1070 or Buhle +27 73 435 7580 pic.twitter.com/hjM7OfrBT4
— Reclaim the City (@ReclaimCT) January 27, 2022
Herron called on the City to release public land for public good.
"In the meantime, we are relieved that the extent of the fire appears to have been contained sufficiently to limit the damage to a relatively small portion of the residence."
Herron also called on the City to dust off the 2017 Inner City Affordable Housing Prospectus and kick-start the project.
Non-profit organisation Reclaim The City said that the affected residents will need donations of food, water, mattresses and bedding.
Donations can be delivered directly to Cissie Gool House (77 Mountain Road, Woodstock), or contact Fagmeedah on 083 749 1070 or Buhle 073 435 7580.
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