Human Interest
Somerset West wildfires 'now within metres of homes'─── 17:11 Tue, 03 Jan 2017
Somerset West - Wildfires in the Somerset West area have spread to within 10 metres of some homes, according to a resident in the area.
"The fires are threatening a lot of homes. It is within 10 to 15 metres of a residential development called Riverside Estate," Wallace du Plessis told News24 on Tuesday.
Du Plessis, a News24 content producer, has been driving around several areas around Somerset West, where the fires are spreading.
"There are about two fires burning - one in Schapenberg and one in Bizweni Valley," Du Plessis said.
"A firefighter told me that fires are under control in Schapenberg, while they are still struggling to fight fires in Bizweni Valley."
According to Du Plessis, olive trees have burned on the Morgenster Farm, while a house has been damaged as a result of firefighting helicopters dropping loads of water in Schapenberg.
It is believed the blazes started in Grabouw and spread over the mountain on Tuesday morning.
