A huge blaze erupted Tuesday afternoon, January 21, 2026, at a leading foam-product manufacturer in Strand’s Broadlands Road. Smoke thick and black towered over the Helderberg basin, sparking fear across the area. The fire started just before 3pm in a remote storage section of the facility.
50 Firefighters Battle Blaze Amid Wind and Chaos
More than 50 firefighters and 12 frontline vehicles flooded the scene to fight the inferno, finally gaining control by 1.15am the next day, said City of Cape Town Fire spokesperson Jermaine Carelse.
“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.”
The operation wasn’t just a battle with flames. Fierce south-easterly winds threatened to fan the fire. Things turned ugly when some brazen onlookers began stoning the firefighters. Police were called in to secure the scene and let the emergency crews work safely.
Factory Up and Running, Cause Still a Mystery
Despite the ferocity of the blaze, Strandfoam confirmed their factory stayed fully operational, with no injuries or structural damage reported.
“Operations continue as normal with zero interruption,” the company said Thursday morning, praising the rapid 20-minute emergency response by fire services, police, and EMS.
Two fire trucks stayed on-site Thursday morning to monitor and douse hotspots. Authorities have yet to determine what sparked the blaze.
Strandfoam Haunted by Fires – History of Danger
- Previous fires struck the facility in 2020 and 2022.
- No injuries reported in current or past incidents.
- Cause of the latest fire remains under investigation.
City officials urge the public to keep clear of the area and allow firefighters to do their vital work.
