Signal Hill fire: Ward councillor Higham thanks responders for swift action
Letter to the editor. Francine Higham, councillor for Ward 77
Image: Letter to the editor
Ward 77 councillor Francine Higham
On Sunday, January 18, a fire broke out on the slopes of Signal Hill above Voetboog Street in the Bo-Kaap.
It required a coordinated response from multiple agencies.
I visited the site on Monday, January 19, and seeing the terrain up close really brought home how frightening this must have been for residents in the Bo-Kaap and surrounding areas, especially with the high winds.
My thanks to South African National Parks, Table Mountain National Park fire management, the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service, and all partner agencies who responded promptly.
A full-scale response was activated to protect nearby residential areas, with major pumpers, specialised all-wheel-drive water tankers, and ground crews deployed in challenging conditions.
The fire was successfully contained, and crews remained on site overnight to conduct mopping-up operations and monitor for any flare-ups.
I would also like to thank residents for their cooperation and adherence to instructions while emergency services carried out their work.
We are deeply grateful for the dedication of those who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.