The heatwave that has struck South Africa has caused a marked increase in fires in the Western Cape – several blazes have sprung up since last Sunday, and a fire in the Vermaaklikheid area on the Garden Route has resulted in the death of a Working On Fires (WOF) chopper pilot.
Mop up operations for the fire will continue throughout the day today.
On Tuesday, firefighters battled a blaze on Sir Lowry’s Pass. The fire was reported at approximately 2pm, with the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services working with the Overberg Municipality responded to the call.
Forty-eight firefighters were on scene to battle the blaze, along with seven fire engines and five water tankers.
#VermaaklikheidFire Day 3
Additonal resources deployed100 Firefighters from the @environmentza Working on Fire programme as well als a Huey helicopter, two fixed wing air tractor 802 bombers, five firefighting vehicles, and management … pic.twitter.com/AHrOUTxJHp
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) October 24, 2018
A warehouse in Stellenbosch was also damaged by a fire on Tuesday morning, but has since been contained.
Speaking to News24, Stellenbosch Municipality spokesperson, Stuart Grobbelaar, said that the first firefighters were on the scene within seven minutes of the call being made.
“They were able to bring it under control quite quickly. The cause of the fire is still being investigated,” he said.
Twenty-five firefighters were on the scene, along with 12 fire trucks. Wine, bottling equipment, bottles and pallets were destroyed in the blaze.
No injuries were reported.
Picture: Twitter/Working on Fire