Residents claim arsonists may be behind the recent fires that engulfed open fields, vleis and residential areas in Table View, Milnerton and surrounds.
This comes after numerous fires were reported in these areas, fanned by strong winds and threatening homes and animals in the residential areas.
The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue was alerted to a fire under Blaauwberg Road bridge in Table View last week (16 February).
Although the fire was contained, residents say that the firefighters will still be seen in the area until the alleged arsonists are caught.
“All these fires in just a few weeks can’t be coincidental. There are arsonists at large who are causing these destructions. The police needs to thoroughly investigate,” says resident Jared van der Merwe.
Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City’s fire and rescue department, says no damages to property or injuries were reported.
Inspectors from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA were also dispatched to assist injured and displaced animals in distress.
On Thursday 17 February, flames emerged from the roof of the Milnerton Golf Club, while waiting for the City of Cape Town’s fire and rescue team to attend to the fire.
According to Carelse, the team was alerted at 19:35 of the incident at the Milnerton Golf Club.
“A total of 21 firefighters were on scene – three fire engines, an aerial appliance, water tanker and a rescue vehicle,” Carelse says.
The cause of the fire is still unknown and pending investigation.
No injuries were reported. The extent of the damage remains unknown. The fire was extinguished at 21:58, Carelse says.
The club says in a Facebook post that its members and the public must bear with them as they will start the rebuilding process within the next few weeks.
“As per numerous social media posts on the evening of 17 February, we had a fire within the Cart Housing at the Clubhouse. We have unfortunately lost our entire fleet of club carts, as well as a small portion of members’ carts due to the incident.
Thankfully no one was injured.
The Clubhouse was not affected by the fire and trading will continue as per normal,” the post reads.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA says they have responded to a fire last week raging between Killarney Gardens and Milnerton rural area.
Inspectors Elani Graham, Werner Taljaard and Carina Bodenstein were dispatched to assist injured and displaced animals in distress. Inspectors joined other emergency services personnel at the scene.
A large open veld area caught fire adjacent to a housing complex.
Fortunately, no houses were damaged. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
According to the SPCA, property owners were advised to take their animal companions for veterinary checks immediately should they show signs of distress from possible smoke inhalation.
“A beehive contained in a stormwater outlet survived. The bees appear unharmed. A bee expert advised not to move the hive. The bees will drench themselves in honey and move on of their own accord if needed. Several guinea fowl that succumbed due to smoke inhalation are among the casualties found,” says the SPCA.
The SPCA is urging residents to be on the lookout for displaced wildlife or any animal in distress. To report any incident, call the SPCA’s Inspectorate Department on 083 326 1604.
