The University of Cape Town (UCT) announced on Wednesday that it is planning for the return of students to university accommodation now that the fire that affected large parts of the Rondebosch campus is under control.

UCT emphasised its priority for the safety and health of every student.

The fire, which broke out on Sunday, resulted in the emergency evacuation of about 4 000 students and a small number of students were treated for smoke inhalation.

The university anticipates that it will be able to get students back into university accommodation on Thursday, barring unforeseen issues.

“Once we have cleaned the residences, approved in terms of occupational health and safety, the task team will provide and coordinate transport back to university residences for all students in emergency accommodation. We will make alternative arrangements for those residences deemed unsafe due to fire damage,” said UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng.

UCT has set up a cross-divisional task team to coordinate the process of returning the students, adding that the first task has been to assess the condition of the campus in terms of health and safety.

This process is underway, Phakeng said.

“Our priority is the safety and health of every student, and to create the conditions necessary for a full return to the university’s academic programme as soon as possible,” she added.

She expressed gratitude to the university’s Students’ Representative Council (SRC) staff for ensuring that the evacuation was completed safely.

“We have fortunately been able to provide emergency accommodation for all affected students. Generous donations from across the country have provided for a steady supply of provisions, which have been distributed to our students. As with any emergency evacuation of this nature, there have been logistical challenges that we have worked hard to address. I am particularly grateful to the SRC for their close assistance in meeting these challenges,” concluded Phakeng.