FIRES CONTAINED

Since September 2025

FIRES CONTAINED since Sept. 2025

+ 1

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS used since Sept. 2025

+ 1

Athlone Stadium Veld Fire

Delft

Dunoon (3)

Erf 81 Military Base – Signal Hill

Gugulethu (3)

Hout Bay – Valley Road

Imizamo (2)

Khayelitsha (9)

M5 Fire

Makhaza

Masiphumelele (3)

Mfuleni (3)

Mitchells Plain – Veld Fire

Monwabisipark (2)

Overcome Heights (4)

Penzance greenbelt

Philippi (5)

Samora Machel (2)

Fires Contained. Communities Protected. Lives Saved.

At Atlantic Fire Services (AFS), every fire contained is a life, home, or business protected. Our Fires Contained page highlights the incidents where rapid response, trained community volunteers, and first response firefighting equipment were immediately available to stop fires before they could spread and cause devastating damage. These real-world interventions demonstrate the power of preparedness, teamwork, and immediate action — proving that when communities are equipped and empowered, disasters can be prevented.

Imizamo Yethu - Mayitshe

24.02.2026

Flames were moving fast. People were screaming for help. Without hesitation, we geared up and went in to help with the evacuation and to contain the fire.

Because of the dead ends we had identified during last year’s risk assessment, evacuation was incredibly difficult. In some cases, we had to help residents escape over rooftops to get them out safely.

Overcome Heights - Vrygrond

17.02.2026

Community volunteers responded and used 4 extinguishers to contain the fire on 2 flanks.

* 4 x 9kg DCP Fire Extinguishers Used

* 12 x houses destroyed

Samora Machel - Tsoga Centre

12.02.2026

The iconic Tsoga Centre was severely damaged in a fire.

Community volunteers and neighbourhood watches responded with 7 x fire extinguishers but struggled to gain access as most security gates were welded shut.

The extinguishers delayed the fire enough for the church to remove some furniture and equipment.

Masiphumelele - E Section

10.02.2026

These brave ladies used their fire extinguishers to contain a fire in E section on Monday morning.

One house was damaged.

Empty fire extinguishers were replaced today, and 3 first aid burn kits were issued to volunteers.

Well done, volunteers.

Khayelitsha - Taiwan

05.02.2026

Trained community volunteers acted quickly, using 3 x fire extinguishers to contain the fire on one flank while emergency services responded. Sadly, five homes were destroyed, but the fast action by volunteers helped prevent the fire from spreading even further. This is exactly why community training and access to basic firefighting equipment are so important in high-risk areas.

Khayelitsha - RR section.

05.02.2026

Community volunteers used 3 fire extinguishers to contain two flanks.

Unfortunately, 25 homes were destroyed.

* 5 x 9kg DCP Fire Extinguishers Used

* 25 x houses destroyed

Samora Machel

03.02.2026

AFS-trained community volunteers didn’t wait. They acted. Using 3 AFS-donated fire extinguishers, and with children bravely helping carry buckets of water, the community worked together to contain the fire before it could destroy homes and lives

* 3 x 9kg DCP Fire Extinguishers Used

Imizamo Yethu - Greenbelt

26.01.2026

AFR responded to a fire started by kids.

Fire spread to the mountain.

AFR contained the fire burning next to houses and then concentrated our efforts on the mountain .

Fighting alongside CoCT fire we contained and extinguished the fire.

Masiphumelele

20.01.2026

During the devastating fire that destroyed 400 homes, community volunteers managed to contain the fire in three different areas and saved multiple homes.

Community volunteers in Masiphumelele have responded to 8 fires in two months.

Saving multiple homes and lives.

Well done volunteers.

Khayelitsha - BM Section

19.01.2026

Community volunteers responded and managed to contain the fire on 2 flanks.

* 2 x 9kg DCP Fire Extinguishers Used

* 10 x houses destroyed

Fire next to the M5

19.01.2026

COPPER THIEF started a fire next to M5.

AFR commander PK found the thief burning copper under the pedestrian bridge.

Due to strong winds and very thick grass, the fire spread rapidly.

PK contained the fire on the charlie flank.

CoCT Fire arrived very quickly and just in time as the cruiser ran out of water.

Khayelitsha - Tsepe Tsepe

04.01.2026

A devastating fire tore through the Tsepe Tsepe informal settlement in Khayelitsha, destroying more than 200 homes and displacing more than 600 people. AFR community volunteers used 13 fire extinguishers to contain the fire on the Charlie flank, slowing the spread and buying critical time.

Mfuleni Ext 6

29.12.2025

A brave volunteer from Ext. 6 Neighbourhood watch responded to a structure on fire.

She managed to contain the fire and stop it from spreading to adjacent homes.

CoCT Fire arrived quick and extinguished the blaze.

Well done .

Athlone Veld Fire

19.12.2025

Atlantic Fire Services spotted a dangerous veld fire opposite Athlone Stadium. Thick smoke caused near-zero visibility on Klipfontein Road, posing a serious risk to motorists. Our team immediately deployed three Rapid Response Land Cruisers and successfully contained the fire, restoring safety to the area.

Khayelitsha - Makhaza

16.12.2025

Community volunteers contained two flanks and managed to stop the fire from spreading. CoCT Fire Brigade arrived very quickly and extinguished the blaze. Seven houses were lost, but many more homes and lives were saved by the quick response from the community.