Strong winds fan flames
Alleged arsonist held while four firefighters injured battling devastating Table Mountain blaze
STRONG south-easterly winds fanned the flames of the devastating fire on Table Mountain, making it impossible for helicopters from both the province and the SA National Defence Force to assist in dousing the flames, which were making their way down the mountain towards Walmer Estate.
Some Walmer Estate residents helped to fight the flames making their way towards homes in Upper Melbourne Road. They were later assisted by firefighters.
Resident Nazeem Ebrahim said, “When we saw the small fire on Sunday, we were already preparing. We know the wind, and we know the effects of the wind, and we won’t leave the community in the cold just like that, so the City’s Disaster Management should have trucks stationed here.”
At about 10am, City Disaster Risk Management spokesperson Charlotte Powell said Ministerial Estate, Disa Park and Mountain View complex in Vredehoek were evacuated, including all schools.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille said a minister’s Newlands residence owned by the department, was gutted on Sunday
“Thankfully, no one was hurt, and no one was in the property at the time.”
She said yesterday family members of three members of the executive had been evacuated from Walmer Estate properties, as there was an immediate threat as the fire crossed Philip Kgosana Drive.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said 17 schools were granted permission to send learners home, due to health and safety concerns.
“The effects of smoke inhalation and respiratory problems were raised. Many of the schools situated in the areas affected by the fire are commuter schools, so concerns were also raised regarding transport for affected learners if an evacuation was called,” said Hammond.
City spokesperson Janine Willemans said yesterday morning that firefighting efforts were concentrated in Vredehoek and Philip Kgosana Drive and at UCT.
The City said about eight structures had been damaged, including four UCT buildings.
More than 250 firefighters from the City, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Working on Fire and Volunteer Wildfire Services battled the fires.
The City’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said four firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze: two City firefighters and two external firefighters.
Police arrested a man in connection with the blaze on Sunday.
Police spokesperson André Traut said a 35-year-old man was arrested at 8.10pm along Philip Kgosana Drive by City law enforcement and charged with arson.
“It is alleged that a member of the local neighbourhood watch witnessed three suspects making a fire on the mountain, and alerted authorities. Two of the suspects managed to evade arrest. The circumstances surrounding the case are being investigated and an appearance in court is yet to be scheduled,” Traut said.
People have been urged to stay away from the mountain and not use it for recreational purposes.
South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson Rey Thakhuli said rangers had to stop people from going about their day-to day activities within TMNP yesterday morning.
The public has been requested to refrain from entering the Newlands Forest, Groote Schuur Estate, Rhodes Memorial, Devil’s Peak, Tafelberg Road, Vredehoek and Deer Park sections of the park.
Thakhuli said more than 400 hectares had been damaged so far.
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway managing director Wahida Parker said all operations at the cableway would remain suspended until the area had been declared safe.
UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng thanked everyone for their support, as well as the university’s staff.
“We’ve had to evacuate about 4 000 students from residences to hotels around Cape Town. That wasn’t an easy task,” she said.
AS HAS been the hallmark of South Africans when faced with a calamity, everyone stands together and offers assistance in every way they can. This has again been seen with the outpouring of relief for those affected by the devastating fire along the slopes of Table Mountain.
Gift of the Givers is preparing three meals a day for the next seven days for evacuated UCT students, and has been preparing hygiene packs for the students spread across 29 hostels.
The organisation also launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, and local and international donors have contributed more than R64 000 towards their fund-raising target of R250 000 to support their various relief efforts.
Vodacom contributed R3 million donated to Gift of the Givers, and is providing airtime and data to students affected.
Spur Steak Ranches donated R50 000 and Double O cooldrink has made a
GIFT of the Givers is preparing three meals a day for the next seven days for evacuated UCT students, and has been preparing hygiene packs for the students spread across 29 hostels. donation of 3 600 x 500ml bottles of soft drinks to Gift of the Givers.
The organisation also received a donation of water from Engen SA as well as soft drinks from Pepsi and Jive.
Uber SA assisted the UCT students who were evacuated by offering two free trips (up to R100 each) from the campus.
Pick n Pay delivered essential supplies (water, eye drops, sunscreen and food supplies) to firefighters as well as cooking meals and delivering them to students, with drinks and toiletries.
Transformation director at Pick n Pay Suzanne Ackerman-Berman said the company had received numerous requests from customers asking how they could help or donate.
“The emergency services are under immense pressure so we are happy to play a role in co-ordinating the distribution of much-needed donations from the incredibly generous public to those affected by these devastating fires.”
The Shoprite Mobile Soup Kitchen is assisting by serving students hot meals at Mupine College in Pinelands.
Checkers Sixty60 will credit customers the R35 delivery fee for all orders delivered to the Sea Point Fire Station, Salt River Fire Station or Cape Town Fire & Rescue on April 18.
CSI manager for the Shoprite Group Lunga Schoeman said the company was in contact with the Volunteer Wildfire Services and Gift of the Givers regarding any additional aid required.
Primarashni Gower, on behalf of the University of Pretoria, said the university offered support to the staff, students and parents of UCT and would do everything in their power to assist.