Fire in built environment
Details
This is an expired event!
Event title
South Africa - Nine taxis torched at Nyanga taxi rank in Cape Town [photos]
Source
Severity
Low
Event date (UTC)
2026-03-06 19:05:07
Last update (UTC)
2026-03-06 19:05:07
Area range
Local event
Address/Affected area(s)
Nyanga, Cape Town, City of Cape Town, Western Cape Province
A fire destroyed nine taxis at the Nyanga taxi rank in Cape Town early Friday morning.
The fire broke out shortly after 1am, destroying the vehicles parked at the rank.
The blaze destroyed five Toyota Quantums and four Iveco Sprinters.
Authorities reported that no one was injured.
Police discover burning taxis during patrol
Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Nyanga discovered the fire while patrolling Terminus Road at about 01:30.
Police spokesperson F.C. Van Wyk said officers noticed smoke coming from the taxi rank and immediately went to investigate.
“They found nine taxis alight at the rank,” Van Wyk said.
The City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service responded to the scene and managed to extinguish the fire that had engulfed the vehicles.
Police open investigation
SAPS has opened an enquiry into the incident and officers remain at the scene.
Police have also alerted patrol vehicles to monitor taxi routes and ranks in the area.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
ANC condemns torching of taxis
The African National Congress in the Western Cape condemned the incident and described it as an act of criminality.