WATCH Lion’s Head Blazes Towards Fresnaye After Fire Jumps Signal Hill Rd in Cape Town, South Africa
An out of control fire is heading down the mountain towards Sea Point, according to witnesses in the Western Cape, South Africa. However Table Mountain National Park’s Philip Prins confirmed although the fire is ongoing and not contained, there is no immediate threat to infrastructure. In a video post a few minutes ago he said […]
An out of control fire is heading down the mountain towards Sea Point, according to witnesses in the Western Cape, South Africa.
However Table Mountain National Park’s Philip Prins confirmed although the fire is ongoing and not contained, there is no immediate threat to infrastructure.
In a video post a few minutes ago he said crews from Working on Fire, City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue services, Volunteer Wildfire Services and NNC Wildfires are assisting Table Mountain National.
A couple of hours ago former Mala Mala safari guide Nic Proust posted photos and frightening footage showing the fire, which began Sunday afternoon at around 16h00, has jumped Signal Hill Road. Watch here:
https://www.facebook.com/nic.proust/videos/pcb.2342096032677400/10157108859725555/?type=3&theater&ifg=1
He said the fire – which was fuelled by strong winds in Cape Town today – was “totally out of control”.
He reported many cars being stuck on Signal Hill Road… but being “escorted off down a fire break road”.
“Sea Point residents better watch out…” he warned. “Coming straight your way!”
Nic said: “I can confirm that it has just reached the bottom of the main ‘head’ of Lion’s Head and is climbing fast. The whole mountain is alight sadly.”
In an update afterwards he said: “It’s reached the rocks below where the chains used to start, and also reports of one injured civilian.”
Photos taken tonight by Cape Town resident Joanne Rowland from Tamboerskloof show the fire blazing on Lion’s Head.
Comments on WhatsApp refer to “huge flames heading over the hill”.
Capetonian Wayne Shonfeld posted a photo taken from his son’s apartment, showing the approaching fire, and said that they’re preparing to evacuate. He said: “Signal Hill in heaps of trouble and Sea Point and Fresnaye ought to be nervous.”
Sea Point residents are advised to pack a bag and be ready in case of emergency evacuation.
There are reportedly four fire trucks in the upper Fresnaye area attending to the fire.
Cape Town photographer Katya Kim Santos-Laspatzis posted photos of the fire encroaching on her home in the Fresnaye area, and said: “Wind has brought it right in front of us now….?????? Hope this wind stops. #fire #thankyoufirefighters #besafe”
Katya also posted this video of the fire from Fresnaye:
https://www.facebook.com/katyakimlaspatzis/videos/2564421676905508/
Katya requested that locals please donate to the fire fighters:
You can also drop off sandwiches/Energade for distribution to crews on the lines, at the Newlands Fire Base.
Citizens are advised to keep windows and doors closed, and to stay vigilant.
Prins said fresh teams from Working on Fire will be coming in on Monday morning.
Residents and holiday makers in the area are asked to stay clear of the area, and NO DRONES are permitted.
Earlier today SAPeople contributor Sonja Delport posted photos of the aerial support during the Kloof Nek Fire and Lions Head Fire, and said: “A special thank you to our public safety personnel, and firefighters, who went above and beyond to keep our community safe today and who are still on the job! To all the fire crew – we salute you.”
Update 21h40: A local Sea Point resident reports that the fire has now reached Top Road in Fresnaye, where Signal Hill joins residential roads.
VWS says: “If you have an emergency, please call 021 480 7700 from your cellphone or 107 from a landline.”
A special thank you to our public safety personnel and firefighters, who went above and beyond to keep our community safe today and who are still on the job! @sapeople @CapeTownEtc @CityofCT @TableMntnWatch @CapeTownTourism @lovecapetown @vwsfires @wo_fire @TableMountainNP pic.twitter.com/7H0gnouVdr
— Sonja Delport ❄️ (@Edelweiss_Delp) January 27, 2019
@CapeTownEtc @vwsfires @lovecapetown @CapeTownTourism @wo_fire #KloofNekFire #LionsHeadFire A special thank you to our public safety personnel, and firefighters, who went above and beyond to keep our community safe today! To all the fire crew – we salute you. @sapeople pic.twitter.com/W0OxsRqqAn
— Sonja Delport ❄️ (@Edelweiss_Delp) January 27, 2019
WATCH Kloof Nek Fire from Tamboerskloof
https://www.facebook.com/VolunteerWildfireServices/videos/2188087728074949/
WATCH Latest update on Lions Head Fire
https://www.facebook.com/wofire/videos/325589754738856/?__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDvQ45ybix4qvjiENFfdTz4pp-rYEEe_ZCHNkGxKWBNPAA4ZgCiJQXs8gpn-kTlhXn07De9Zt2OTibNj01SX7kcbunacHgDHiBlntnvyxyluFN-gFA0evkzC_p0g5hl316DzX0-2BfNLDdfvW7d5L6LIYYj-0oJacmcHgD1oG7_eU1lL_0SHmRA7PXMDt8NoASWgGfU2Nld5ztX8LE7UdisizfH7uH4Xony8IH8qzQayq3-BfLu1_5Bun_cICsKK778Q9TTBvMY5H2LM9tlzUpedWjdgfoFDezO7pRKWW0SJpalfsb2LV6SvU5TroPCDd4nBNS2SRlAAP8022teH1UFyteHnvvxQojJAw&__tn__=-R