Despite a full deployment and extra resources, a runaway field fire resulted in a historic thatch house in Roggeland, Paarl being destroyed, while two others were saved, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to DFW Fire & Rescue, the first building on Bodal Road was already set alight when the crew was called for assistance, while two others were under threat.
‘Immediately a full deployment was requested by the DFF commander, and allegedly extra resources from Drakenstein Fire were also on their way,’ DFW said in an update.
‘The DFW tanker/pumper, together with a truck from Paarl Fire Services opened “fire” to try stop the fire, which started by the grass fire. The DFW put a thick layer of special foam on the second thatch building with its modern CAFS unit, as the building was right in the fire line and embers flew in the pumping wind.’
The Fire Service added that the first house was already too affected and could not be saved, despite ‘heroic actions’.
‘There will be a case made against the people who set the fire in the grass nearby,’ concluded DFW.
Meanwhile, a wildfire broke out in the La Motte area of Franschhoek on Saturday afternoon, prompting a large-scale emergency response as firefighters worked to protect nearby structures.
According to the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM), its Fire Services were dispatched after the blaze was reported, with additional firefighting resources from Stellenbosch Municipality also on scene.
The response has been bolstered by aerial firefighting support, contracted ground teams and the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), as crews battle challenging conditions in the area. Aerial resources from multiple partners have been deployed, including the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, the Winelands Fire Protection Association, and contracted aircraft from CWDM.
Firefighters are prioritising structure protection, with several buildings reported to be under threat as the operation continues.
Motorists travelling in and around Franschhoek have been urged to drive with caution, follow the instructions of traffic officials and give way to emergency vehicles accessing the affected area.
Concluding its statement, CWDM added that, unless there are significant changes, the next official update on the fire will be issued on Sunday, 18 January 2026.
The blaze in La Motte comes just two days after tireless firefighting efforts and significant rainfall resulted in the containment of a wildfire which broke out in Wemmershoek, Franschhoek on Thursday, 15 January.
The Wemmershoek fire originated in the Langrug area on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. CWDM confirmed that over 17 000 hectares of land was burned during this time.
Also read:
Cape Town fires surge as heat and winds stretch emergency crews
Picture: DFW Fire & Rescue NPC / Facebook
