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 need 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.
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