Residents of Runciman Heights and Harbour Heights in Simon’s Town were evacuated on Thursday as the City of Cape Town’s disaster management battled to bring a mountain blaze under control.
The fire started on the mountain slopes above the coastal town on Wednesday night, and by late Thursday afternoon firefighters were still battling the flames as winds increased and changed direction.
City of Cape Town spokesperson Charlotte Powell said two houses in Afrikander Road had been completely destroyed, while in Valley Road, one house and a double garage had been razed to the ground. In Dorries Road, a house was damaged and another burnt to the ground.
Powell said six bungalows at the Oatlands Holiday Day Village were also damaged.
The City’s JP Smith, earlier on Thursday, said helicopters had been waterbombing the Klaver Valley while ten pumps and five water tenders were on the scene.
The Froggy Pond area, where there are about 200 houses, had already been evacuated while the road leading from Simon’s Town to Cape Point was closed between Boulders beach and Miller’s Point.
Powell said the road was only open to residents and she urged people “to keep the roadways clear to allow emergency vehicles to respond”. - ANA