After a fire ravaged the informal settlement of Khayelitsha, destroying 80 homes, Atlantic volunteer firefighters returned to train the community members on all things fire awareness and equip them with the means to act in those critical first moments.
Cape Town, South Africa (22 April 2026) – Fighting fires in informal settlements, townships and remote areas is at the heart of Atlantic Fire Services’ mission in the Western Cape.
When flames break out, these brave heroes rush to extinguish them before they cause destruction. But when these men and women can’t arrive in time, they still provide support wherever they can.
A team recently returned to Khayelitsha Ward 91 after a devastating fire destroyed 80 homes – a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly lives can change in informal settlements.
“In response, we trained 60 community members in fire awareness, fire safety, and the optimal use of 9kg DCP fire extinguishers, equipping them to act in those critical first moments,” Atlantic Fire Services said.
The fire service also donated 30 fire extinguishers and 14 first aid kits. These were distributed across six teams serving six informal settlements, strengthening local, immediate response where it matters most.
“We also met with the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Gift of the Givers, councillors, and community leaders to reaffirm our shared commitment: to train, equip, and support high-risk communities across the Western Cape.”
A successful Fire Safety Training Day was also held in Hangberg, Hout Bay, to mitigate the high risk in Sloot, where access is difficult and response times are critical.
“Six new volunteers and team leaders joined us and completed fire awareness, fire safety, and fire extinguisher training, equipping them to act quickly when fires break out. To support their efforts, we donated six fire extinguishers and six first aid kits.”
Through this effort, Atlantic Fire Services has now formed response teams to protect a community high up in the mountain, far from the main roads, where immediate action can make all the difference.
Alongside the community training, the Atlantic Fire Services team also sharpened its volunteers’ readiness with training on the Land Cruiser fire truck and CAFS unit.
“We are fighting the scourge of informal settlement fires. Day by day, community by community. Empowering our people. Protecting our communities.”
We applaud these heroes for stepping up when disaster strikes and for their constant efforts in preventing further tragedy.
Sources: Atlantic Fire Services
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