PICS: Iziko Museum clears Groot Constantia Manor of valuable antiques

Cape Town - Groot Constantia was closed to the public on Wednesday while firefighters battled a blaze on the farm.

The brave firefighters weren't the only heroic ones on the scene, however, as staff from Iziko Museums cleared the Manor House on the estate of all antique furniture and valuable artworks when flames blazed dangerously close to the Manor. 

Also see: 'Business as usual' after Cape fires - Cape Town tourism

Grant Newton, Sales and Marketing Manager at Groot Constantia and Cape Town Tourism Board Member, said that "Iziko museums took the decision to evacuate the Manor House of its historic content as a precaution" to the flames blazing nearby.

The staff helping to evacuate the Manor wore cloths around their mouths to protect them from inhaling the smoke.

"Thankfully," Newton said, "the farm was unharmed and business resumed as per normal the following day, although the Manor House will be closed until its contents have been returned". 

Eyewitness News also reported that both Klein Constantia and Groot Constantia Estates' livestock, pets and residents were evacuated as precaution due to the fire.

#MuizenbergFire #Tokai residents have been rescuing & evacuating pets and livestock. Pic: @AlettaGardner pic.twitter.com/1lXUtKxbxb

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 4, 2015