Helmeted heroes battle new blaze at Cape Point

They thought they could relax after containing the fires that raged across Table Mountain for four days but exhausted Cape Town firefighters were under pressure again yesterday, battling a blaze at Cape Point.

The fires threatening Tokai, Constantia, Noordhoek and other areas of the southern peninsula were finally brought under control on Wednesday night after a mammoth effort by about 500 firefighters.

But a blaze, ignited by lightning on Wednesday, sprang up at Cape Point.

"It's burning fiercely," said SANParks communications officer Merle Collins. "We have two helicopters and about 300 crew on the ground."

The city's fire and rescue services spokesman, Liezl Moody, said: "Choppers have been dispatched for water-bombing and nature conservation is on the scene. The firefighters will stay in the affected areas through the night if necessary."

Philip Prins, from the Table Mountain National Park, said the fire would not be contained overnight. Aerial support had been stood down but firefighters would remain on the ground.

The Cape Film Commission's Denis Lillie said the blaze would have a big impact on the industry.

"Commercial film-makers want the scenery around the mountains. We're reluctant to send film-makers out at the moment due to the unpredictability," he said.

In Newlands, a four-storey office block, Great Westerford, caught fire at about 8am yesterday.

Metacom managing director Réan van Niekerk, who has computer systems in the building, brought a trolley-load of water and codrinks for the firefighters.

"They were working so hard and with such enthusiasm . it was the least I could do, especially after the last few days," he said.

Pupils at the neighbouring Westerford High School were evacuated as a precaution, said principal Rob le Roux.

Cape Town Cycle Tour media officer Cindy Blaser said most of the 35000 entrants for Sunday's event were expected to turn up, even though the route had been cut to 47km.