LILONGWE, Malawi
Nearly 200 households have been evacuated from neighborhoods in Cape Town, South Africa after fires broke out late last week in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).
Jermaine Carelse, a spokesperson for the city’s Fire and Rescue Service, told reporters Monday that three separate fires started Friday afternoon and early evening in lower and upper areas of Tokai in the mountain and are still continuing.
“So far, there have been no recorded deaths, but a woman firefighter has been injured and is currently in hospital getting treatment. And we have had no structural damage, but we have witnessed destruction of 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of forest in the raging inferno,” said Carelse.
He said approximately 250 firefighters from multiple agencies have been deployed and four choppers are water bombing the fires, which are said to be fanned by strong winds.
“Despite our efforts to contain the situation, the fires remain uncontained. There are no signs of slowing down. We therefore urge the public to strictly adhere to all trail closures and to avoid sections of the mountain for their safety,” he said.
He said efforts are being made to determine the origin of the fires, “but early indications suggest that they may have been started deliberately.”
Panic and fear have gripped residents around the mountain, according to Carelse.
“The situation isn’t all that good among the residents. The old and sick people are going through hell as they try to look for places of safety,” he said.
