Cape Town: City of Cape Town has reported increase in residential fires, as in the last 12 months it has increased by 20% and while fatalities decreased the data that signals that the vigilance in the late-night hours and on weekends, is critical.
Reportedly, the Fire & Rescue Service recorded 4,210 residential fires in 2023-24, that resulted in 220 fatalities. The informal residential fires increased by 15% year-on-year, while formal residential fires increased by 27%.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that the increase in residential fires points to a need for more robust education, awareness and frank conversations about fire risks. The City of Cape Town has worked hard to ensure that it has a well-functioning Fire & Recue Service that can respond effectively in the event of fire.
He further added that ultimately, fire safety in the home requires planning and buy-in from everyone who lives under a particular roof. “The prospect of anything happening to your home or your loved ones is not the kind of conversation that too many of us want to have, but that can be the difference between life and death,” said Alderman Smith.
Smith said further, “I want to plead with our residents to take the time to see what fire safety measures they can implement for their particular circumstances and to put together a family emergency plan that everyone is familiar with.”
He said that one should need to evacuate or act in the event of a fire or any other emergency for that matter.
Notably, between January and June 2024, the Fire & Rescue Service recorded 105 fatalities, which were linked to the structural fires. The breakdown of the statistics shows that:
- 56% of victims were adult males
- 74% fatalities occurred between midnight and 06:00
- 80% of fatalities occurred over weekends, between Saturday and Monday
Considering this, JP Smith stated that these statistics are not new, but they serve as a stark reminder that many fires are the result of negligence, tied to alcohol abuse and often with devastating consequences.
The dangers have highlighted the time and again but it bears repeating. If you are going to drink or use drugs, stay away from anything that is flammable, whether cooking or using candles for lighting or even smoking a cigarette, especially in bed.