A fire that was thought to have started in the Sunny Seas residential area on the lower slopes of Betty's Bay Peak on Saturday evening, 8 July 2017 quickly crept up the krans and threatened to spread towards the sea bend along Clarence Drive in the direction of the R44 in Kleinmond.
Despite a strong north westerly wind that threatened homeowners in direct line of the fire, the quick response from the Overberg and Overstrand Fire and Disaster Management teams, along with Cape Nature and Betty’s Bay and Pringle Bay Volunteer Fire-fighters, ensured the fire was steered away and stopped at the right flank. With the left flank burning back against the wind, fire fighters sought to combat the blaze and bring it under control. In the meanwhile affected residents were temporarily evacuated and road users kept at bay in an operation overseen by Overstrand Law Enforcement and Traffic.
To that end, assistance was also rendered by the Betty’s Bay Neighbourhood Watch and Ratepayers Association.Speaking from the scene, Overstrand Executive Mayor Ald Rudolph Smith stated, “It is thanks to the efforts and speedy response of our support teams that a greater crisis was averted. Their swift and efficient handling of the incident resulted in the fire being contained in the shortest time.
Speaking from the scene, Overstrand Executive Mayor Ald Rudolph Smith stated, “It is thanks to the efforts and speedy response of our support teams that a greater crisis was averted. Their swift and efficient handling of the incident resulted in the fire being contained in the shortest time. Moreover there were no reports of any houses lost, structural damage or injury.” Overstrand Traffic Chief, Lester Smith advised that the fire was extinguished in the early hours of Sunday morning, helped mostly by the rains that fell overnight. The scene was subsequently declared safe at approximately 02h00, allowing residents to return to their homes and the road being re-opened for traffic.
Overstrand Traffic Chief, Lester Smith advised that the fire was extinguished in the early hours of Sunday morning, helped mostly by the rains that fell overnight. The scene was subsequently declared safe at approximately 02h00, allowing residents to return to their homes and the road being re-opened for traffic.
