Firefighters battle blaze at Cape Town CBD construction site

Cape Town firefighters have responded to a fire at a building under construction in the Cape Town CBD.

The cause of the blaze is unclear at this stage.

Some construction workers at the site on 36 Hans Strijdom Avenue tried to extinguish the small fire, which appeared to have started on scaffolding erected between sections of the building.

A small group of workers remained on top of the building while others evacuated, as firefighters made their way inside the Foreshore site.

According to the website of the company carrying out the work, the project involves alterations and upgrades to the commercial building, including structural and architectural demolitions, waterproofing, painting, and various installations.

Traffic on the corner of Bree Street and Hans Strijdom Avenue is currently being diverted.

Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said a fire crew is on the scene.

“It appears that the top three floors are affected. Currently, we have crews from Roeland Street and Salt River on scene with a specialised vehicle. Further information will be provided once an assessment has been made,”Carelse said.

UPDATE

The City’s Fire and Rescue Services has confirmed the fire at a building on the corner of Hans Strijdom and Bree has been contained.

"The fire was located in the external ventilation ducting system – firefighters managed to access it so that active firefighting could take place,” Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse.