The resistant Simon’s Town fire created a thick blanket of smoke around various parts of the city on Wednesday, with several Simon’s Town residents evacuating the area and non-residents urged to steer clear as a mountain fire raged for a second day.
CAPE TOWN – The stubborn Simon’s Town fire had created a thick blanket of smoke over various parts of the city yesterday, with several residents evacuating the area and non-residents urged to steer clear as the mountain fire raged for a second day.
The fire was reported on Tuesday, near Castle Rock, and about 150 firefighters were on scene to tackle the blaze, fanned by the south-easter.
By Wednesday, more than 300 staff were on the ground, with three helicopters assisting.
Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) dispatched contracted crews from NCC Environmental Services, Working on Fire, and Volunteer Wildfire Services.
City Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said only a single derelict building was damaged on SA Navy grounds.
“The threat to the houses on Victory, Horatio and Barnard streets was averted in the early hours of (Wednesday) morning. The residents of Harbour Heights were evacuated as a precaution just before 1am.”
Roads leading to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point remained inaccessible for most of the day.
On Wednesday, DRMC advised non-residents to steer clear of Simon’s Town. More precautionary evacuations were done and DRMC staff were checking various parking areas along the coastal road to direct members of the public out of the area.
About 450 hectares of veld was burnt.
Cape Argus
