In photos: Wildfire scorches Cape Town’s Silvermine reserve
An injured firefighter has been hospitalised and about 198 homes have been evacuated
Fire trucks monitor the fire front above Zwaanswyk on Sunday evening as Silvermine mountain glows with embers. Photos: David Harrison
One firefighter is being treated in hospital and about 198 homes, including a frail care centre, have been evacuated as a fire continues to rage across the mountain slopes in Cape Town
Affected include Ou Kaapse Weg, Clovelly, Tokai, Boyes Drive and surrounding communities. Fire and rescue teams have been fighting the wildfire throughout the night, with about 250 City firefighters, assisted by Table Mountain National Park, Working on Fire, the NCC and Volunteer Wildfire Services.
The only damage reports received was that of a vehicle that caught alight in the Silvermine parking area, a statement read on Monday morning.
Out of control flames blaze on the slopes of Constantiaberg on Sunday night.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed that a woman firefighter who was injured has been taken to hospital for treatment.
“As of Sunday night, the fire was creeping down Boyes Drive, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek side, while on the Ou Kaapse Weg side it moved towards Noordhoek. Crews remained on the fire line throughout the night,” he said.
Carelse said emergency teams are closely monitoring the situation. He urged the public to stay away from these areas. Several road closures remain in place.
A firefighter from the Lakeside fire department monitors the fire from his parked truck as the fire burnt out of control up the slopes near Constantiaberg on Sunday.
Unconfirmed reports suggest three separate fires were deliberately started simultaneously on Friday.
Cape Town residents have banded together by dropping off supplies at Lakeside Fire Station. If you wish to drop off water, energy drinks and energy bars, as well as non-perishable items, you can do so at the Lakeside Fire Station.
Grassy Park Community Police Forum project manager Faizel Abrahms (centre) and a colleague arrive in Zwaanswyk with donated supplies to offer firefighters some relief.
City of Cape Town traffic officers closed Ou Kaapse Weg as the fire continued to burn out of control on Sunday afternoon.
A view looking towards Silvermine and Steenberg Estate on Sunday evening as the fire burnt out of control. Residents of the Noordhoek Manor retirement village were evacuated to the Fish Hoek Civic Centre.
Fire threatened homes in the Steenberg Estate on Sunday afternoon.
A City of Cape Town fire truck parked on the side of Tokai Road on Sunday evening, monitoring the fire on Constantiaberg.
Zwaanswyk residents and onlookers watch Constantiaberg burn from on Sunday evening.
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