City firefighters push on to extinguish fire as wind flares up
19 April 2021
Executive Mayor Dan Plato says efforts to contain the fire are currently focused on the mountain above Vredehoek, with residents being evacuated as a precautionary measure. Strong winds are placing pressure on firefighting staff as it shifts the direction of the fire. The fire caused considerable damage yesterday, which included major damage to three UCT buildings, the Rhodes Memorial restaurant and historical structures such as the Mostert’s Hill windmill were damaged by the blaze. Damping down continues to prevent any flare-ups. Read more below:
Students from the Upper Campus of the University of Cape Town have also had to be evacuated as strong winds caused the fire to spread. At least two firefighters were treated for burn wounds in hospital yesterday.
‘I have visited the University of Cape Town again this morning to check on damping down efforts to ensure there are no flare ups. Two hundred firefighters have worked really hard to bring the fire under control and resources will stay on scene until we are confident it has been extinguished. I wish to express our gratitude for the efforts of firefighters and all the role-players involved, including our disaster risk management staff and all the partners who have come on board to assist with humanitarian efforts. I also want to thank our residents for the generous spirit they have shown in assisting with donations of much-needed supplies for firefighters. During my visit to UCT this morning, I was informed that valuable scientific samples stored in laboratories on Upper Campus were under threat due to the water-logged spaces. This is receiving attention by our staff and the Management at UCT,’ said Executive Mayor Plato.
It is tragic that literary treasures have been lost at the UCT library, but I have been informed that some of the most valuable works were saved by the quick activation of roller doors.
Afterwards, Mayor Plato visited Philip Kgosana Drive and also Roeland fire station to offer encouragement and check on progress of firefighting efforts under trying circumstances.‘Our attention remains focused on keeping people safe and preventing further loss of property. We are working to support all role-players to extinguish the fire as soon as possible,’ said Mayor Plato.
Caption 2: The public has donated generously to our firefighting efforts. These are some of the donations received at Roeland Street Fire Station.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
