Fire in Overberg destroy plantation

By Mikhaila Crowie
16 February 2009

The Overberg and Cape Town Fires Services have teamed up to extinguish a veld fire raging in the Grabouw Mountains.

The fire yesterday spread from the Grabouw side of the mountain, over into Sir Lowry’s Pass.

Two helicopters were called in to water bomb the area.

Fire-fighters battled to contain the blaze which was fanned by strong winds.

Cape Town Fire Services say thousands of bushes and trees have been destroyed.

Traffic officials have meanwhile urged motorists to use caution when driving along Sir Lowry’s Pass, as visibility in the area may be poor.

Meanwhile a fire fighter was stoned in Phillipi on Sunday while attending to a shack fire in an informal settlement in the area. Eighty shacks were gutted and more than 300 people were left homeless.

Cape Town Services said fire fighters occasionally reported being attacked while on duty.