Somerset West remained under siege over the weekend, with emergency services personnel, animals, and private houses beginning to sustain damage after five consecutive days of fire.
April’s devastating fire was likely started deliberately, with SANParks announcing new measures aimed to catch those up to no good.
A SANParks investigation has found compelling evidence that the fire, which caused huge damage to UCT and surrounding areas, was started intentionally.
Whilst the initial fire was likely caused by “a vacated vagrant fire”, numerous residents in the Devil’s Peak area also reported seeing people lighting fires on Sunday, April 18.
The recent blaze, which caused damage to UCT and threatened the homes of many Cape Town residents, has reignited conversations around how to better prevent these fires from happening so regularly.
You can’t put a value on some of what we’ve lost to the latest blaze. As Zapiro points out, though, there are still many fires to put out.
Sunday’s footage of the library engulfed in flames was shared far and wide, and the heartbreaking task of assessing the damage continues.
On Sunday evening, numerous residents in the Devil’s Peak area reported seeing people lighting fires on the mountain. One resident, and his dogs, sprang into action.
SANParks, which manages Table Mountain National Park, is being accused of ignoring warning signs years in the making.
Cape Town ‘not out of the woods’. UCT library damage. Deadly Tesla crash. Sexwale’s embarrassing scam. Controversial ‘Byron Baes’ show. No peace between Harry and Charles.
It has been a truly horrific 24 hours in the Mother City, and strong winds are currently hampering firefighting efforts as heroes battle the flames on the front lines.