Massive blaze rips through Strandfoam factory, sending thick black smoke over Helderberg basin on Tuesday afternoon, January 21, 2026. The fire erupted just before 3pm in a remote storage area, sparking panic across the region.
50 Firefighters Battle Blaze as Fierce Winds Threaten Spread
More than 50 firefighters and a dozen emergency vehicles swarmed the scene, battling the fire through the night. They finally got the inferno under control by 1:15am the following day, City of Cape Town Fire spokesperson Jermaine Carelse confirmed.
“Crews used a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) – a crucial technique that kept the fire from spreading to the main factory buildings,” Carelse revealed. “Thankfully, no buildings were damaged and no one was hurt.”
Strong south-easterly winds whipped the flames, making the fight even tougher. To make matters worse, some brazen onlookers began throwing stones at firefighters. Police had to step in to secure the area and protect emergency crews.
Factory Runs Smoothly Despite Inferno – Cause Still Unknown
Despite the fierce fire, Strandfoam assured the public their factory remained fully operational with zero injuries or structural damage.
“Operations continue as normal with zero interruption,” the company stated Thursday, praising the rapid 20-minute response from fire services, police, and EMS.
Fire trucks remained on site Thursday morning to monitor and douse lingering hotspots. Officials have yet to determine what sparked the blaze.
Strandfoam’s Fiery History – Trouble Isn’t New
- The facility suffered fires before in 2020 and 2022.
- No injuries were reported in any of the past or current incidents.
- Investigations into the latest fire’s cause are ongoing.
City officials urge residents to steer clear of the area and let firefighters carry out their crucial work in peace.
