The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service is leading a multi-agency team in trying to contain a raging fire in the South Peninsula that has so far destroyed five homes and resulted in at least 10 private homes‚ an old-age home and a retirement village being evacuated.
The fire started on Sunday in Muizenberg above Boyes Drive and was fanned by strong winds.
By Monday afternoon‚ it was burning over an extensive area‚ including Ou Kaapse Weg and Chapman’s Peak‚ heading in the direction of Hout Bay.
The city’s resources are usually stretched at this time of the year as it battles fires around the metro. The fire season in Cape Town extends from November to May and the dry and windy summers fuel the wildfires.
The city said yesterday that one member of the Fire and Rescue Service had sustained burn wounds and was transported to hospital‚ while at least 52 residents at the Noordhoek Manor Retirement Village were treated for smoke inhalation.
Three mass care centres have been set up to accommodate those who have been displaced: at the Dutch Reformed Church in Kommetjie Road‚ Fish Hoek; the Dutch Reformed campsite in Noordhoek; and the Fish Hoek Community Hall.
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said yesterday that this fire season had been particularly challenging for the Fire and Rescue Service‚ which had seen a significant hike in the frequency of fires.
“Our latest recorded statistics revealed that there had been an increase from 3359 incidents between December 2013 and January last year‚ to 4325 incidents during the same period this festive season.
“Despite this increase‚ fatalities decreased from the year before.
“I would like to give a heartfelt thank-you to the firefighters for their bravery. Every day they encounter danger to ensure that the residents of Cape Town are kept safe.
“We appreciate their contributions to making Cape Town a truly safe city where disasters are managed efficiently‚” De Lille said.
“The major concern remains with the fire in the mountains around Muizenberg. Access to the fires by aerial bombardment is very difficult due to prevailing weather conditions‚ hampering efforts by the fire crews‚” MEC Anton Bredell said.
Colin Deiner‚ head of Western Cape Disaster Management‚ said fire crews were struggling against tough conditions. “The situation is serious and efforts are being hampered by extreme temperatures‚ strong winds and inhospitable terrain.” — BDlive
Cape Town battles fierce mountain fire
The fire started on Sunday in Muizenberg above Boyes Drive and was fanned by strong winds.
By Monday afternoon‚ it was burning over an extensive area‚ including Ou Kaapse Weg and Chapman’s Peak‚ heading in the direction of Hout Bay.
The city’s resources are usually stretched at this time of the year as it battles fires around the metro. The fire season in Cape Town extends from November to May and the dry and windy summers fuel the wildfires.
The city said yesterday that one member of the Fire and Rescue Service had sustained burn wounds and was transported to hospital‚ while at least 52 residents at the Noordhoek Manor Retirement Village were treated for smoke inhalation.
Three mass care centres have been set up to accommodate those who have been displaced: at the Dutch Reformed Church in Kommetjie Road‚ Fish Hoek; the Dutch Reformed campsite in Noordhoek; and the Fish Hoek Community Hall.
Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille said yesterday that this fire season had been particularly challenging for the Fire and Rescue Service‚ which had seen a significant hike in the frequency of fires.
“Our latest recorded statistics revealed that there had been an increase from 3359 incidents between December 2013 and January last year‚ to 4325 incidents during the same period this festive season.
“Despite this increase‚ fatalities decreased from the year before.
“I would like to give a heartfelt thank-you to the firefighters for their bravery. Every day they encounter danger to ensure that the residents of Cape Town are kept safe.
“We appreciate their contributions to making Cape Town a truly safe city where disasters are managed efficiently‚” De Lille said.
“The major concern remains with the fire in the mountains around Muizenberg. Access to the fires by aerial bombardment is very difficult due to prevailing weather conditions‚ hampering efforts by the fire crews‚” MEC Anton Bredell said.
Colin Deiner‚ head of Western Cape Disaster Management‚ said fire crews were struggling against tough conditions. “The situation is serious and efforts are being hampered by extreme temperatures‚ strong winds and inhospitable terrain.” — BDlive
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos