Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Cape Town on fire alert

Cape Town firefighters will be on high alert for the next three days, says the city's disaster management centre.

Spokesman Wilfred Solomons-Johannes said the weather service had "stepped up" its red fire danger warning for the Cape Metropole until Friday.

"Such extreme hot conditions are favourable for runaway fires and the city's disaster response teams and fire and rescue services are on heightened alert," he said.

Three days ago a fire razed 163 homes and left 700 people displaced in the Masiphumelele shack settlement at Fish Hoek.

"Strong, gusting south-easterly winds are forecast for much of the city today, which means that small fires could easily become major blazes," said the City's chief fire officer, Ian Schnetler.

- Timeslive

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