Community in shock after blaze razes school
THE District Six community, pupils and teachers at Holy Cross Primary School in Zonnebloem were reeling in shock after a fire destroyed a newly renovated library yesterday.
The Liyabona library was named in honour of a learner, Liyabona Mbaba, who was killed in a taxi crash in August.
It was not clear what started the blaze, which broke out after midday.
The Chris Otto Foundation recently started renovations at the school to accommodate a “dream library”, said the foundation’s spokesperson, Karen Breytenbach.
“We are devastated by the fire. The library was nearly set to be launched with a small party, as the final touches were being done to it. It feels like a huge punch to the stomach,” Breytenbach said.
Holy Cross Primary School principal Nomthandazo Zweni could not talk when approached for comment, only saying: “I am very sorry, I cannot speak now. We are very traumatised and I’m not in a good space.”
A lot of love and many hours were put into the project, said Breytenbach.
“It had a contemporary design with pretty nooks for studying and reading. We have unconfirmed reports that three classrooms, a computer centre and the library were completely destroyed by the fire. We, as well as the children, are all saddened by it.”
The Chris Otto Foundation Trust project manager Nonikiwe Mashologo said the non-profit organisation was “relieved but sad at the same time”.
“We’re relieved that nobody was injured. Our priority was for the safety of all at the school. We’re very sad that the library was lost, but will start from scratch again,” she said.
Mashologo has called for donations to the foundation for the rebuilding of the library.
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said a metro officer who had helped with evacuation at the school had suffered mild smoke inhalation.
“The officer was treated and thereafter transported to a nearby private hospital for further treatment,” Meiring said.
The City’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Theo Layne, said eight fire engines and 27 firefighters were dispatched to battle the blaze.
To donate to the Chris Otto Foundation NPO, email nonikiwe@ chrisottofoundation.com or call 021 224 0892.
At the same time, three helicopters and 14 firefighting vehicles were dispatched to a fire in Kloof Nek Road.
At the Kloof Nek fire, Layne said, the Table Mountain National Parks unit had assisted in the firefighting efforts.
“There is some danger to residential properties but no evacuations were ordered,” Layne said.