By Neelam Rahim

The news comes after the South African Weather Service issued fire warnings for parts of Cape Town yesterday but focused on the Cederberg municipalities.

City Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said an emergency call was received at 4.22 pm on Wednesday that the mountain slopes were alight at Lourensford mountain slopes above Somerset West., Meanwhile, crews were still on scene at a fire that broke out in Tableview on Wednesday. An emergency call was received after 11 am that reeds were alight in Gill Road Tableview.

The crew responding to a blaze in Lourensford, Somerset West, had to be treated and transported to a hospital after the water tanker they were in rolled down an embankment. City Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said, “Some crew members were hurt but not seriously. They were discharged on Thursday morning.” Jermaine also says, “Aerial support was called in due to the area’s inaccessibility.” A large area of the mountain slopes above Somerset West has burnt. Officials say that no property is in danger.

Firefighters brought another fire in Tableview under control.

“The smoke was visible as far as the CBD, and an aggressive attack was initiated to contain the fire. An extensive area of reeds burnt. No property was destroyed, nor were any injuries or fatalities reported,” Carelse said.

Firefighter Van der Merwe of Cape Town Fire & Rescue noted that the fire appeared to be more smoke than flames. What’s actually on fire are reeds.

The cause of the fire is unknown.