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.
#Hansekopfire #Grabouw as captured earlier today by #DavidMorris This #wildfire leaves #devastation in its path More #adverse weather expect pic.twitter.com/B8xGb6a5DJ
— Greater Overberg FPA (@OverbergFPA) January 3, 2017
As Somerset West fires rage, communities come together. All the info you need to help or donate plus photos … – https://t.co/YQswkRvYwj pic.twitter.com/zgA7sG8oOb
— Good Things Guy (@GoodThingsGuy) January 4, 2017
Photography David Morris via Twitter
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.
34 minutes ago…fire still blazing.https://www.enca.com/south-africa/homes-damaged-fire-still-blazing-in-somerset-west
It is insane. Really sad. Saw it flying into Cape Town last night. My prayers are with those all impacted and being displaced
Pierrette Groenewald hulle praat van julle skapies seker
Dit was amazing hoe die gemeenskap gehelp het om die perde en ander diere van die estate af te kry.
Ashleigh Jane Butterworth be careful on the road today!!
Tragic, our prayers are with you.
Ek is seker
Louise Kerby, hope this fire isn’t affecting you!
No. Far from us. But aware of smoke and ash. Mountains on the other side.
And vandals ravage the evacuated homes.
Karen Villareal -great scot that is bad
Ahhhhh, sooo sad, but good things come from this tooU0001f44dU0001f3fb
Reminds me of last summer here.