A wildfire raging on Table Mountain since Sunday, 18 April is still out of control and is now being fanned by gale force winds, making it even more difficult to contain.
On Monday morning, the City of Cape Town’s fire spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said the fire has now spread towards the Vredehoek area as a result of the South Easter.
“The wind speed increased from about 2am this morning and additional fire crews are now stationed at Pepper Tree and Chelmsford area. As a precautionary these areas were evacuated.
“Further crews are on Tafelberg road as the wind speed is predicted to increase throughout the morning,” said Carelse.
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The strong winds also impact aerial firefighting support. On Monday morning more than 250 firefighters from the City, TMNP, Working on Fire and the Volunteer Wildfire Services remained on the ground, fighting the fire on various fronts.
The fire has already gutted Rhode’s Memorial Restaurant, Mostert’s Mill and the University of Cape Town’s library, and the City said they will only be able to assess the damage once the blaze has been extinguished.
JP Smith, Mayco member for safety and security confirmed that a man in his 30s was arrested near Devil’s Peak in connection with starting the fire.
“There is a lot of speculation currently about additional fires that were started, and whether the original fire was an act of arson. This will form part of investigations, but the City can confirm that one suspect in his thirties was taken into custody last night in the vicinity of Devil’s Peak,” said Smith.
The suspect was spotted by a resident, who tracked him down with the help of his sons and the family’s dogs.
“The matter is with SAPS for investigation and further details will follow as they become available,” he said.
The focus right now is to bring the fire under control.
Smith appealed to the public to to assist authorities by following instructions in respect of evacuations where necessary, staying away from the active firefighting scenes so that firefighters can focus on the job at hand, and by reporting any information that may be relevant to the investigations into this incident.
So far, two firefighters have been injured and are being hospitalised. All efforts remain focused on active firefighting for the moment, and road closures are in place to keep the public safe.
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