Fire Services in attending to two fires in the Western Cape

The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWD) Fire Services says they are currently attending to two fires in the Franschhoek Pass and at De Doorns in the Boland.

Municipal spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto says the fire in the Franschhoek Pass has been contained and the pass is currently open to traffic.

“The fire on the Cape Winelands side has been contained, and some of the fire vehicles have been able to return to base. However, close monitoring will continue, and if necessary, fresh ground teams will be deployed in the morning. The pass is open to traffic. A fire on the slopes above the informal settlement of Stofland, just outside De Doorns, was reported earlier this afternoon. Two ground teams and fire crews including vehicles have been deployed. At this stage, there is no danger to any property. However, active firefighting is currently underway, and teams will stay on the lines throughout the night,” says Otto.

Meanwhile, the authorities in Kayamandi in Stellenbosch in the Boland say they will provide building materials to victims of a recent shack fire. More than 20 structures were burnt in the fire that took place on New Year’s eve.

The affected residents are still clearing debris.

Shack fires have displaced more than 2,000 people in Cape Town in the past two weeks.

Kayamanda ward councillor, Mary Nkupane says they are currently assessing the extent of damage in order to assist the residents.

“For now, the municipality has reached out, the Department of Informal Settlement has reached out, they are cleaning the area. As we are speaking, the tractor is coming to clean up the area. We first give people chance to collect what they think they can still use if there’s any valuable staff that they need,” says Kayamanda.

Kayamandi Fire | Informal settlement residents in Western Cape picking up the pieces: