Cape Town fire spreads

A fire that broke out in Muizenberg was heading to the Chapman's Peak toll gate on Monday, Cape Town Disaster Risk Management said.

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"So far we have treated 52 people for smoke inhalation and the total number of homes lost has gone up from four to five," spokeswoman Charlotte Powell said.

She said four helicopters were on scene to assist the 28 fire-fighting vehicles and 16 support vehicles.

"The fire is burning over an extensive part and has reached Boyes Drive over Ou Kaapse Weg and was heading towards the toll gate at Chapman's Peak."

By 10am there were no more evacuations other than the three old age complexes that were earlier evacuated.

                                                                        Video posted by jasonkamera.

"The fire started on Sunday but was contained and then the bigger fire started up at around 2.20am," said Powell.

Earlier, spokesman Onele Ndesi said some roads, including Chapman's Peak Drive, had been affected and closed.

Mass care centres had been opened at two churches and the Fish Hoek Community Hall to house the people affected.

People can send any donations to the Fish Hoek Community Hall, he said.

"At this stage we are focused on getting the fire under control, but with the current weather conditions in the Cape anything could have started the fire," Ndesi said.

"What we want to say to the community at this moment is to make sure that they wet their gardens and if they have thatch roofs to wet the roofs as well."

-SAPA