|
|
|
|
|
23 January 2026
|
Cape Town Fire and Rescue crews battle massive fire at Strandfoam
A major fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon, 21 January 2026, at a leading Helderberg-based South African foam-product manufacturer and stockist located in Broadlands Road, Strand, sending towering plumes of thick, toxic black smoke across the entire basin. The fire, which started just before 15h00, was located in an isolated storage section of the premises. According to Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services, more than 50 firefighters and 12 front-line vehicles were deployed to bring the flames under control by approximately 01h15 on Thursday.
“Crews used a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) to battle the fire, a specialised method crucial for preventing the flames from spreading to the main factory buildings,” he pointed out. “Fortunately, none of the buildings were damaged and no injuries were reported.”
Firefighters faced more than just heat during the night operations. A powerful south-easterly wind challenged containment efforts but the situation turned dangerous when some bystanders began stoning the emergency responders. Carelse said that the South African Police Service had been called to the scene after some bystanders allegedly began stoning firefighters. “The local police was called in to secure the area and allow the fire crews to continue their work safely,” he said.
“We ask the public to please steer clear of the area and allow firefighters to focus on bringing the fire under control,” Carelse said.
Despite the intensity of the fire, Strandfoam management confirmed in a statement on Thursday morning that the facility remained fully operational there were no reported injuries to staff or emergency personnel and that no buildings were damaged during the incident.
“Operations are continuing as normal with no business interruptions,” the company said in a statement and expressed its gratitude to the City of Cape Town’s fire services, police and Western Cape EMS for their rapid 20-minute response time.
Carelse confirmed that on Thursday morning two vehicles remained on site to monitor and douse remaining hot spots. The cause of the fire had not yet been determined.
Fire have often raged at Strandfoam, including one in 2022 and another one in 2020.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Sources: Jermaine Carelse, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services media spokesperson;
District Mail and Helderberg Gazette; Cape Argus
“Crews used a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) to battle the fire, a specialised method crucial for preventing the flames from spreading to the main factory buildings,” he pointed out. “Fortunately, none of the buildings were damaged and no injuries were reported.”
Firefighters faced more than just heat during the night operations. A powerful south-easterly wind challenged containment efforts but the situation turned dangerous when some bystanders began stoning the emergency responders. Carelse said that the South African Police Service had been called to the scene after some bystanders allegedly began stoning firefighters. “The local police was called in to secure the area and allow the fire crews to continue their work safely,” he said.
“We ask the public to please steer clear of the area and allow firefighters to focus on bringing the fire under control,” Carelse said.
Despite the intensity of the fire, Strandfoam management confirmed in a statement on Thursday morning that the facility remained fully operational there were no reported injuries to staff or emergency personnel and that no buildings were damaged during the incident.
“Operations are continuing as normal with no business interruptions,” the company said in a statement and expressed its gratitude to the City of Cape Town’s fire services, police and Western Cape EMS for their rapid 20-minute response time.
Carelse confirmed that on Thursday morning two vehicles remained on site to monitor and douse remaining hot spots. The cause of the fire had not yet been determined.
Fire have often raged at Strandfoam, including one in 2022 and another one in 2020.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
Sources: Jermaine Carelse, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services media spokesperson;
District Mail and Helderberg Gazette; Cape Argus
