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