A fire that broke out at a Kenilworth nursing home in the early hours of Monday forced residents and staff to evacuate and caused extensive damage.
Forty firefighters, six fire engines, five water tankers and a rescue vehicle were sent to Sherwood House shortly before 1am, according to City Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Jermaine Carelse.
The fire caused parts of the building to collapse before it was extinguished at about 5am, said Mr Carelse.
It’s not yet known what caused the fire, he said.
Police officers and neighbourhood watch volunteers helped firefighters evacuate the 35 residents and five staff.
“Due to their infirmity, the residents had to be carried, wheeled out on wheelchairs and some walked out. All residents and staff were safely evacuated,” said Claremont police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Marnus Fourie.
The evacuees gathered briefly at the nearby home of Allie Hunt as they waited for further help.
“We had 32 residents staying in our house, in our beds and lounge. We were offering tea and coffee, and the neighbours came in with blankets, socks, soft drinks and water,” she said.
Ms Hunt, whose late mother, Kim MacFarlane, had lived at Sherwood House, said it was incredible how the community had pulled together to help the residents.
Sherwood House manager Brenda McClaghlan arranged a two-night stay for the residents at a Newlands hotel while alternative living arrangements were made.
Ward councillor Katherine Christie thanked the volunteers from the community who ferried the residents to the hotel, saying, “I am struck by the immense kindness and goodness of our community.”
Ms Christie said the nursing home was looking for a four-bedroom house to rent to accommodate some of its residents for a couple of months. The home would provide its own nursing care.
According to Ms McClaghlan, the garden-side of the home was not damaged by the fire and some of the residents will be able to move back in there. Eleven residents, she added, had lost all their personal belongings in the fire.
She thanked everyone who had helped to get the residents to safety.
Ms Christie has appealed to the community to help the Sherwood residents in their time of need and drop off bedding, towels, toiletries, slippers, gowns, tracksuits and other essentials at the home, at 19 Sherwood Avenue, Kenilworth.