Firefighters tackle wildfires in Camps Bay and Cape Town CBD
. A fire broke out in the Cape Town CBD at the corner of Hans Strijdom and Bree Street.
Image: Armand Hough Independent Newspapers.
Firefighters and emergency services had their hands full on Monday following a fire in Camps Bay with certain hiking trails being closed and another blaze in the CBD.
Table Mountain National Park deployed approximately 50 firefighters from various services to combat a wildfire near the Pipe Track in Camps Bay.
The Fire and Rescue Service also contained a fire reported at the corner of Hans Strijdom and Bree in the Cape Town CBD.
No injuries were reported in both incidents.
JP Louw, South African National Parks (SANParks) Head of Communications and spokesperson said aerial support was needed in fighting the fire in Camps Bay.
“Table Mountain National Park has deployed ground firefighting crews in response to a wildfire in the Camps Bay area near the Pipe Track,” he explained.
“Currently, an estimated 50 firefighters from SANParks, the City of Cape Town Fire & Rescue Services, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), and Working on Fire (WoF) are actively working on containing the blaze.
“Aerial support has been activated, with a helicopter en route from George, expected to arrive within two hours to assist with waterbombing operations. The helicopter that's currently airborne is the nearest available air firefighting resource at this time of year.”
Louw said updates would be given.
“As a precaution, several hiking trails above the 12 Apostles / Pipe Track area have been temporarily closed to the public.”
The City’s: Fire and Rescue services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse said firefighters attended to a blaze at a building along Hans Strijdom and Bree Street.
“Crews from Roeland Street and Salt River responded with a specialized vehicle,” he stated.
“The fire was located in the external ventilation ducting system and firefighters managed to access it so that active firefighting could take place.
“No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.”
Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel.
Cape Argus