A vegetation fire on the near Tafelberg Road on Table Mountain ended in tragedy on Sunday January 28 when a firefighter died in hospital.
In a statement issued to the media, the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services said they were saddened by the death of 33-year-old firefighter Candice Kruger (also known as Ashley) who died in hospital after collapsing on the fire line on the lower slopes of Table Mountain. She received medical attention, but efforts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.
The cause of death has not yet been established.
JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security and social services, said: “On behalf of the Fire and Rescue Service and the City of Cape Town, I extend my deepest condolences to Ms Kruger’s family and friends.
“She was stationed at Roeland Street Fire Station and had completed nine years of service. She is survived by her wife, Kelly Kruger.”
Mr Smith said the City would assist the Kruger family with funeral arrangements and would also offer trauma counselling to her relatives and platoon colleagues. The Fire and Rescue Service would also offer the family a full brigade funeral as Ms Kruger had died while serving in the line of duty, he said.
Executive mayor Patricia de Lille also sent her condolences to the fallen firefighter.
“It is with great sadness that I send my condolences to the family and friends of one of the City’s young female firefighters,” she said.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the Volunteer and Wildfire Services said: “Our thoughts, prayers and condolences to City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services firefighter Candice Kruger’s family, friends, colleagues and fire station on her passing yesterday during the Platteklip Gorge fire on the slopes of Table Mountain. Rest easy sister, we’ll take it from here.”
