Hope rises from ashes after fire guts historic CBC hostel

A TRAGIC chapter was written in the early hours of Tuesday morning, May 6, 2025, as flames consumed the historic Nazareth House on the grounds of St Patrick’s CBC in Kimberley. The blaze, which broke out around 11.20pm on Monday night, left the boys’ and girls’ hostels in ruins, displacing 48 boarders and several staff members, and exposing critical weaknesses in the city’s emergency response systems.

A Sacred Space Lost

For many in the community, the loss of Nazareth House is deeply personal. The building has stood for generations as more than just a hostel – it was a cornerstone of the Catholic educational tradition in the Northern Cape.

Originally established as part of the Sisters of Nazareth’s outreach mission, Nazareth House offered not just accommodation but also spiritual formation, discipline, and care to students from across the region. Over the decades, it transitioned from a convent-run facility into a home-away-from-home for young learners seeking opportunity and growth through education.

What remained on Tuesday morning, however, was a heartbreaking shell of blackened walls, collapsed roofing, and the unmistakable stench of smoke still lingering in the air. Schoolbooks, uniforms, electronics, bedding, and memories – gone in the inferno.

Too Little, Too Late?

What has angered many is the belief that much of the devastation might have been prevented.

According to eyewitness accounts provided to the DFA, the Sol Plaatje Municipality Fire Department's response was slow and “shockingly inadequate”. Despite the fire station being just minutes away, calls for help allegedly went unheeded for over 30 minutes. 

One eyewitness described the horror of watching the fire grow uncontrollably: “We could only stand by and watch as the flames became bigger and bigger. We kept on calling and were told that they were on their way. At one stage, we had to drive to the fire department to go and ask when they would come.”

Witnesses also claim that when the fire truck finally arrived, there was no sense of urgency.

“Only one firefighter was properly dressed and seemed ready. The rest were walking around, watching the fire burn. One firefighter had to shout and swear at them to do something,” said an eyewitness.

Worse still, they claimed that the firefighters lacked the proper fittings to connect to the fire hydrant across the street from the burning building. They ended up using a hydrant on the school premises – precious minutes lost. 

“If they had fought the fire from the other side first, less damage would have occurred,” one observer noted bitterly.

School Takes Quick Action 

The school has meanwhile confirmed that all pupils and staff were evacuated without injury, thanks to the swift action of hostel staff and the school’s emergency protocols. In a message to parents and guardians on Tuesday, St Patrick’s CBC assured families that their children were safe and that temporary arrangements had been made for accommodation.

Executive Head Craig Neave expressed his gratitude in a press release, highlighting the role of the Horseshoe Motel in initially sheltering the displaced learners and staff before they were relocated to accommodation near the school. 

“While the damage to property is extensive, we are most grateful that there were no injuries,” he stated. “We appreciate the wonderful support and prayers of the community.”

Local Schools Step Up 

That support came flooding in. Girls’ High School in Kimberley responded almost immediately by opening its hostel to 60 displaced learners and staff. Principal Safiyia Stanfley confirmed that they could accommodate up to 140 people. “As the Kimberley community, we want to show support to the school, and as a school, we want to come together and support them,” she told the DFA.

A donation drive was also launched to collect toiletries, clothing, shoes, bedding, and school supplies. By mid-morning on Tuesday, donations were already pouring in. Other local schools – among them Diamantveld High School, Northern Cape High School and Kimberley Boys’ High School – also stepped forward to lend a hand. Numerous businesses contributed either in-kind donations or large sums of money, underscoring the powerful spirit of unity in the wake of destruction.

Though CBC reopened on Wednesday, the emotional toll remains heavy. The displaced boarders have not only lost their belongings but also a place many considered home. One parent pointed out that their school is their home during term time, and now they’ve “lost almost everything”.

As investigations continue, the Kimberley SAPS has opened an enquiry into the cause of the blaze, which reportedly began in the boys’ section of the hostel. The exact cause remains unknown.

What is certain, however, is that the fire has exposed not only the fragility of cherished heritage buildings but also the critical flaws in the city’s emergency response.

Municipality Defends Firefighters

In response to public criticism and eyewitness accounts, the Sol Plaatje Municipality issued a detailed statement addressing allegations of poor performance and delayed response by its Fire Department during the devastating fire at CBC.

According to municipal records, the Kimberley Fire Department received a telephone call reporting the fire at 11.25pm. Their first fire engine, Engine 21 – a new, fully equipped firefighting vehicle – was dispatched from the station at 11.31pm, just six minutes later. The fire engine reportedly arrived at the scene within two minutes. The municipality insists that this timeline adheres to the South African National Standard 10090, which outlines community safety requirements for fire response.

Municipal officials rejected claims made by “anonymous witnesses” that there was a significant delay in the response or that someone had to personally fetch firefighters from the station. They clarified that although a vehicle did arrive at the fire station, the fire engine was already exiting the bay at that time. Thus, according to the municipality, the notion that intervention was needed to prompt the Fire Department’s response is “categorically false”. 

It further emphasised that no other contact was made with the Fire Department at the time alleged by those anonymous sources.

Regarding conduct at the fire scene, the municipality explained that it is standard procedure for an Incident Commander (IC) to take control upon arrival. The IC is responsible for assessing the fire, identifying hazards, determining the point of attack, and directing the firefighting team. Firefighters are required to follow the IC’s instructions, which may be delivered in raised voices due to the noise of operating engines and the urgency of the situation. The statement stresses that this should not be mistaken for infighting or disorganisation, but rather as necessary command under emergency conditions.

Addressing concerns about equipment and hydrant use, the municipality stated that all equipment brought to the scene was operational and that Engine 21 includes state-of-the-art features such as the Jaws of Life and other advanced rescue tools. 

In terms of water supply, the department explained that although the fire engine has an onboard tank with a 3,500-litre capacity for initial attacks, sustained efforts require connection to a fire hydrant.

It emphasised that buildings over 1,000 square metres, such as Nazareth House, are legally required to have an on-site hydrant and a water storage capacity of at least 144,000 litres, as per the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act of 1977 (SANS 10400 Part T). The fire team chose to connect to the school’s hydrant rather than the one across the street based on operational efficiency and suitability, not necessity or failure.

The municipality voiced its concern over what it describes as “deliberate efforts to apportion blame” and “insinuations” that cast doubt on the professionalism of the Fire Department. It reaffirmed its position that the department conducted itself according to national standards and to the best of its ability during the emergency.

In closing, the municipality expressed deep sympathy for the damage and loss of personal belongings suffered by the pupils and staff of St Patrick’s CBC. It acknowledged the importance of the school in Kimberley’s heritage and the emotional toll such an incident carries.

While grateful that no injuries or fatalities occurred, the municipality reiterated its willingness to engage with the school’s management on safety issues and improvements going forward.

From Ashes, Unity

The loss of the historic Nazareth House is profound. It is a blow not only to the physical landscape of St Patrick’s CBC, a school founded on faith, brotherhood, and tradition, but also to the emotional tapestry of Kimberley’s education community.

Yet, amidst the ashes, there is hope. The community has rallied with extraordinary speed and generosity. Schools, businesses, and individuals alike have shown that when disaster strikes, Kimberley does not fall apart – it comes together.

St Patrick’s CBC will rebuild. The scars of this tragedy will remain, but they will be matched by the enduring marks of solidarity, compassion, and unwavering school spirit.