In scenes reminiscent of the destructive fires that swept across the peninsula in March, dozens of residents fled their homes yesterday with only their pets, passports and the clothes on their backs as flames licked at their properties in Simon's Town. Several houses and six holiday chalets in the popular Oatlands Holiday Village were destroyed by the huge veld fire that has raged for two days.Residents of Murdock Valley, Froggy Pond, Runciman Heights, Harbour Heights and Simon's Bay Estate had to be evacuated as firefighters battled to save their homes. Residents have been treated for smoke inhalation.This is the biggest in a series of veld fires across the South Peninsula over the past two weeks, marking the start of the Cape's fire season. The season is officially from December to April, but an extremely dry winter and strong south-easterly winds have been blamed for the earlier start.Yesterday, firefighters from the Fire and Rescue Service, Table Mountain National Park, Working on Fire and the navy battled the blaze, which started on Wednesday on the mountain slopes behind the town.Cape Town Fire Services' Theo Layne said three helicopters water-bombed the blaze in areas inaccessible to ground crews.Strong winds and a lack of visibility hampered firefighters.Simon's Town High School was let out early as dense smoke covered the seaside town, roads were closed and traffic diverted.One resident, Sue Adler, whose deck caught fire, said she was in shock. "I'm so lucky there was a fire truck in my road when my deck was set on fire by a burning ember. My house is covered in wooden doors and the whole thing would have gone up in flames ... A few doors down a neighbour's house burned down completely."Cape Town Disaster Management's Charlotte Powell said emergency shelters were being set up at the Simon's Town and Fish Hoek municipal halls and at the Simon's Town Country Club.The Cape of Good Hope SPCA Wildlife Unit was called after reports of buck, deer and other wildlife in residential areas. But poor visibility hampered their search for injured and distressed animals. Powell said the SPCA had 10 members on standby to help. "Currently a few dogs and cats have been evacuated to a holding area and staff are nursing a burnt tortoise."Layne said the cause of the fire was being investigated.Hot of the pressA new coffee table book documents the March fires that destroyed more than 5000 hectares of vegetation.The Cape Aflame contains more than 200 images donated by top photographers. Profits will go to the SPCA and firefighting charities. Order the book at www.capeaflame.com...