Union proud of Western Cape firefighters

04 March 2015 - 21:20 By Sapa
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KEEPING COOL HEADS: Firemen with a tortoise they saved from the fire in Noordhoek
KEEPING COOL HEADS: Firemen with a tortoise they saved from the fire in Noordhoek
Image: GALE MCALL/GREATSTOCK

The Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union on Wednesday commended firefighters battling to put out the fire that broke out along the Cape Peninsula.

"Our members in the fire fighting division have been battling large fires in Muizenberg, Ou Kaapse Weg, Chapman's Peak at the Hout Bay side, Tokai Forest and Noordhoek, since Sunday," the union said in a statement.

"Strong winds have made this already difficult situation worse and additional fire-fighters and volunteers have been deployed in efforts to bring the fires under control."

The union thanked disaster management teams, fire-fighters, the Table Mountain National Park, Working On Fire volunteers, Wild Land Fire Services, municipal officials and all volunteers for their hard work.

The fire started on Sunday, and was contained but started again just after 2am on Monday in Muizenberg above Boyes Drive. It was fanned by strong winds.

It spread to Ou Kaapse Weg, Chapman's Peak, Hout Bay, and Tokai.

One city firefighter sustained burn wounds while 52 frail-care residents from the Noordhoek retirement village were treated for smoke inhalation.

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