Since news of the first fire that broke out in Somerset West yesterday morning, two other fires have been reported in the Helderberg area, which consists of Somerset West, Strand, Gordon’s Bay and a few other towns.

Emergency crews that include at least 12 fire engines, 10 water tankers and aircraft, have been battling the flames for hours. Although firefighters have managed to contain the vegetation blaze, the fire has damaged several homes in the Somerset West area and hundreds of residents as well as animals such as horses, sheep and cows have been evacuated.

Cape Nature’s Tony Marshall has reported that although the fire has been contained, the area is still very hot and with today’s forecast quite high, teams will be on standby and close at hand in the event the blaze reignites.

 

Photography David Morris via Twitter

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14 Comments
  • Vivienne Dijkstra
    Vivienne Dijkstra
    January 4, 2017 at 8:02 am

    What exactly is the update on the fire. This article just states the same as all others at about 20:00 last night. Please!!! People are worried so don’t beat around the bush with old updates. Lives are at stake & it is not about attracting more fans to your page.

  • Karen Villareal
    Karen Villareal
    January 4, 2017 at 8:47 am
  • Michelle Williams
    Michelle Williams
    January 4, 2017 at 9:02 am

    It is insane. Really sad. Saw it flying into Cape Town last night. My prayers are with those all impacted and being displaced

  • Nadia Brits
    Nadia Brits
    January 4, 2017 at 9:13 am

    Pierrette Groenewald hulle praat van julle skapies seker

  • Pierrette Groenewald
    Pierrette Groenewald
    January 4, 2017 at 9:19 am

    Dit was amazing hoe die gemeenskap gehelp het om die perde en ander diere van die estate af te kry.

  • Vicky Hops
    Vicky Hops
    January 4, 2017 at 9:29 am

    Ashleigh Jane Butterworth be careful on the road today!!

  • Jill Lotheringen
    Jill Lotheringen
    January 4, 2017 at 9:36 am

    Tragic, our prayers are with you.

  • Nadia Brits
    Nadia Brits
    January 4, 2017 at 9:38 am

    Ek is seker

  • Judy Sambrailo
    Judy Sambrailo
    January 4, 2017 at 11:06 am

    Louise Kerby, hope this fire isn’t affecting you!

  • Louise Kerby
    Louise Kerby
    January 4, 2017 at 11:08 am

    No. Far from us. But aware of smoke and ash. Mountains on the other side.

  • Hans Pietersen
    Hans Pietersen
    January 4, 2017 at 11:53 am

    And vandals ravage the evacuated homes.

  • Jacqui Weich
    Jacqui Weich
    January 4, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    Karen Villareal -great scot that is bad

  • Moira Liebenberg
    Moira Liebenberg
    January 4, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    Ahhhhh, sooo sad, but good things come from this tooU0001f44dU0001f3fb

  • Judy Sambrailo
    Judy Sambrailo
    January 4, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    Reminds me of last summer here.

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