Earlier this week, firefighters battled to contain a blaze that had broken out on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountain outside the popular Lourensford farm. However, Friday through Saturday, things took a turn for the worst and more than 120 fire and rescue teams were deployed to the scene.
The flames have now begun to endanger property and several homes were evacuated from Erinvale Golf Estate in Somerset West, as per News24.
As the City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Service continued to battle the blaze throughout the night, the winds picked up which caused the fire in inaccessible parts of the area to move towards the golf estate. According to a source who spoke to Cape {town} Etc, all horses on Lourensford Wine Farm have already been evacuated.
On Saturday afternoon, Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse informed the public that the fire had spread to Silverboomkloof. According to Carelse: “Several homes in Silverboomkloof Road were gutted and two firefighters were hospitalised yesterday (Saturday).”
With an intense cold front and rains expected to hit the shores of Cape Town on Sunday evening, Carelse was hopeful that the weather would work in their favour.
Firefighters have strategically been placed to prevent damage.
Fire teams are currently stationed at Lourensford, Kings Kloof, and the Helderberg Nature Reserve.
This evening’s view is majestically terrifying #somersetwest #fires #lourensford pic.twitter.com/CRB7oLlMVg
— Neil Schreuder (@Neil_Schreuder) June 11, 2022
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Videos: Helderberg fire blazes on, 120 fire and rescue teams deployed
Picture: Supplied