Firefighters were battling to extinguish a devastating fire in the Dunoon informal settlement on Friday afternoon, amid attacks from some members of the community, which necessitated Public Order Police being called in to quell tensions.

The City’s Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 10:25 to structures alight in Site 5 of the township. Numerous resources responded, with operations being coordinated by an Incident Management Team Type 4, which indicates a local, smaller-scale emergency response unit.

Helicopters were also brought in to waterbomb the flames, fanned by strong southeasterly winds.

During the course of the afternoon, public order policing resources were called in to assist as firefighters were being assaulted by members of the community.

One firefighter was also taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment for heat exhaustion.

Fire and Rescue services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse says the extent of the fire, as well as further injuries, will be determined and confirmed once a formal assessment has been completed.

The City’s Disaster Risk Management Centre has established an on-site Joint Operations Centre to lead recovery efforts.

Spokesperson Charlotte Powell says staff are waiting for the all clear from the Fire and Rescue Service, so that a formal assessment can get underway.

Other City services are on standby to assist, as well as SASSA, the Provincial Department of Social Development and the National Department of Human Settlements.

Donation drop-off points have been set up at the following fire stations: Goodwood, Roeland Street, Lakeside, Constantia, Hout Bay, Strand, Wynberg and Milnerton.

Contributions of non-perishable foodstuffs, personal hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, face cloths, sanitary towels), nappies and baby formula, as well as blankets/bedding are welcome.

Gift of the Givers teams, currently stretched across the Western Cape, with deployments in the Overstrand Municipality, Mossel Bay, and Kouga in the Eastern Cape, will render assistance in Dunoon as soon as the site is declared safe.