More help enlisted as Simons Town fire rages on
At least five homes have been destroyed & 10 structures have been damaged at the Oatlands Holiday Village.
CAPE TOWN - No property is currently in danger as a destructive fire in Simons Town rages on.
At least five houses have been destroyed and 10 structures have been damaged at the Oatlands Holiday Village.
The City's Fire and Rescue Services' Liesl Moodie says, "We still have the fire on the mountain spreading due to strong winds. Currently, we are still being assisted by the South African Navy, Traffic Disaster Management, Table Mountain National Parks, Working on Fire, Volunteer Wildlife, Wildland Fire Services as well as the Houtbay Volunteers."
More than 50 people have been evacuated from their homes.
Plumes of dense dark smoke and ash clouds continue to hang over the seaside neighbourhood.
Afrikander Street is lined with official vehicles.
#SimonsTownFire official count: four houses razed to the ground. Another one down on Afrikander road right now. NM pic.twitter.com/w1YZPtIcrI
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 19, 2015
Firefighters have resorted to using nearby swimming pools to bolster their water supply.
One panicked resident says she fled with only a few of her belongings.
"Things were getting too hot. It was raining smoke. I couldn't see how close the fire was, so I decided it was time to go."
#SimonsTownFire residents and people who work in the area are doing what they can to help firefighters AH pic.twitter.com/AeZd3nqVDc
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 19, 2015
Additional fire crews have now been brought in to assist in the operations.
#SimonsTownFire SANParks is monitoring the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. SPCA also on scene to tend to animals. NM
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 19, 2015
#SimonsTownFire donated goods at the town hall. Trauma counsellors on standby too. NM pic.twitter.com/X5XDbTldNk
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 19, 2015
WATCH:Houses on fire in Simons Town
