Cape Town - Fires raged in Scarborough and were spreading rapidly on Friday night as firefighters tried to get them under control, the Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services said.
Firefighters would work through the night to get them under control, said Greg Pillay, the head of the disaster risk management centre.
Six houses had been razed and five firefighters were taken to hospital.
"Three firefighters have since been discharged, having suffered from smoke inhalation .
"Two other firefighters who sustained burns will remain under observation overnight," he said.
The fire started in Scarborough, along Plateau Road, in the vicinity of Cape Point Nature Reserve and at Red Hill, Simon's Town.
73 firefighters deployed
According to the department a total of 73 firefighters and 23 firefighting units had been deployed.
The South African National Defence Force was also assisting with aerial support to get the fires under control, said Pillay.
"We used the helicopters for aerial assistance but they could not be up for more than 20 minutes.
"Currently the fire is rapidly spreading towards Misty Cliffs," he said.
Police closed off various roads and an appeal was made to motorists to exercise caution and not proceed to the affected area.
There had been no fatalities but a fire engine was badly damaged. - SAPA
Firefighters would work through the night to get them under control, said Greg Pillay, the head of the disaster risk management centre.
Six houses had been razed and five firefighters were taken to hospital.
"Three firefighters have since been discharged, having suffered from smoke inhalation .
"Two other firefighters who sustained burns will remain under observation overnight," he said.
The fire started in Scarborough, along Plateau Road, in the vicinity of Cape Point Nature Reserve and at Red Hill, Simon's Town.
73 firefighters deployed
According to the department a total of 73 firefighters and 23 firefighting units had been deployed.
The South African National Defence Force was also assisting with aerial support to get the fires under control, said Pillay.
"We used the helicopters for aerial assistance but they could not be up for more than 20 minutes.
"Currently the fire is rapidly spreading towards Misty Cliffs," he said.
Police closed off various roads and an appeal was made to motorists to exercise caution and not proceed to the affected area.
There had been no fatalities but a fire engine was badly damaged. - SAPA
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