Fire threatens Franschhoek

2005-12-29 20:08

Johannesburg - A runaway fire is threatening several properties at Franschhoek in the Boland, SABC news reported on Thursday.

The fire is spreading rapidly, because the vegetation is so dry and a strong Southeaster is fanning the flames.

Workers on the farm Waterfall, at Franschhoek, were evacuated from their houses. Fifty horses were removed from the main area of the farm.

Several other properties at Franschhoek are also threatened by the fire that is burning across a wide area from the construction site of the new Berg River Dam to Kylemore.

Three helicopters were used to water bomb the flames. Two fixed wing aircraft, which assisted earlier in the day, were withdrawn because of the dense smoke.

Assistants from the neighbouring towns of Stellenbosch, Worcester and Ceres were called in to help protect property and lives.

Meanwhile, Cape Town firefighters have managed to extinguish veld fires at Richwood near Bothasig, and close to the lower cable car station on Table Mountain.

Danie Wilds, the Cape Winelands Fire Services spokesperson, says the fire is spreading rapidly because the vegetation is dry.

- SAPA