Table View blaze possibly sparked by Chinese lantern
Firefighters have been working since midnight to douse the blaze in the Blaauwberg area.
CAPE TOWN - A vegetation fire that broke out in Rietvlei near Table View, could have been sparked by a Chinese lantern.
#Fires Most of the Flames have been put out. Several fire trucks operating along Penz Drive. LI pic.twitter.com/t3N7ep5hn5
- EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 6, 2015
This is being investigated by officials. The blaze broke out at around midnight.
#Fires Firefighters working hard to control the fire. LI pic.twitter.com/f6m18Zg6pH
- EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 6, 2015
While not completely extinguished, the fire is largely under control.
The City of Cape Town's JP Smith said, "A fire started last night in Rietvlei. The Blaauwberg Fire Department has been working hard and additional resources were deployed this morning. We have senior firefighters on scene now. It appears that the fire may have been caused by a so-called Chinese lantern that drifted over from the Table View beachfront. That is unconfirmed at this stage."
Scores of penguins and other sea birds in a section of the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob)'s building in Table View were evacuated.
However, firefighters managed to contain the blaze before it reached the animal shelter and the birds have been taken back.
#Fires Some birds are distressed. Being transported to a place of safety. LI pic.twitter.com/E0eMCFXudF
- EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 6, 2015
This morning, thick smoke crept across Otto du Plessis Drive.
With their hazards flickering, motorists had to slow down.
