As it happened: Hout Bay residents told to be ready to evacuate

@CapeTalk567 Lakeside above Boyes Drive, moving down towards Boyes Drive. #MuizenbergFire pic.twitter.com/WGIwkKzQ9F

— aCarlton Michaels (@carltonmichaels) March 2, 2015

Brad Geyser of the NSRI says on eNCA: "At this point in time they [fire fighters] believe they can do it [put out the blaze]."

He commends the generosity of the public who are dropping off food, drink and other supplies for evacuated residents and fire fighters.

Judith Brebner adds: "Fire getting worse now above Boyes Drive again...Been smouldering all day but now quite big flames.

"Know firefighters are concentrating on area above Kalk Bay, Noordhoek and Hout Bay."

Every day our firefighters encounter danger to ensure that the residents of the @CityofCT are kept safe. #CTFires

— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) March 2, 2015

I would like to give heartfelt thank you to the @CityofCT firefighters for their bravery. #CTFires

— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) March 2, 2015

A media release from City of Cape Town:

All hands on deck for Muizenberg fire

"The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service is leading a multi-agency team in trying to contain a fire in the South Peninsula.

"The fire started just after 02:00 on Sunday 1 March in Muizenberg above Boyes Drive and was fanned by the strong wind. It is now burning over an extensive area, including Ou Kaapse Weg and Chapman’s Peak, heading in the direction of Hout Bay.

As at 12:00 today, five homes were destroyed along Silvermine Road in Noordhoek and numerous bungalows were alight at the Tintswalo Lodge at the foot of Chapman’s Peak."

E-mail from a News24 User:

"People who would like to help on the Southern Peninsula can drop saline solution, sun block, cold drinks and water at the Fish Hoek fire station."

"At this stage the fire is contained but not yet under control. Focus is now on the protection of properties on urban fringe," tweets @CityofCTAlerts.

The City has also urged people to avoid beaches in False Bay area; there is congestion caused by road closures due to mountain fire.

Reports on eNCA say the fire is in no way under control.

Roads leading to the affected areas have been closed.

Statement from NSRI in Hout Bay:

On Monday, 02nd March, during NSRI Hout Bay ongoing involvement continuing to assist the Emergency Services at a Fire that swept over Silvermine towards Chapmans Peak and Hout Bay during the night sadly during the mid morning Tintswalo Atlantic Lodge has been largely gutted by fire despite extensive efforts by Fire and Rescue Services to save the buildings.

An SA Air Force helicopter has joined in the fire fighting efforts to contain a blaze between Silvermine and Hout Bay and the Hout Bay side of the fire has now reached the border of Hout Bay in the vicinity of No. 1 Chapmans Peak Drive.

NSRI Hout Bay volunteers are continuing to provide logistic assistance to the Fire and Rescue services and the Emergency services deployed to fight the fire.

NSRI ARE APPEALING TO THE PUBLIC NOT TO COME TO HOUT BAY TO OBSERVE THE FIRE AS ACCESS ROADS FOR FIRE SERVICES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES ARE GETTING BLOCKED BY ONLOOKERS ARRIVING APPARENTLY TO OBSERVE THE FIRE.

Chapmans Peak Drive is still closed to traffic.

Netwerk24 also reports that an apartment block at No. 1 Chapman's Peak has been evacuated.

"Photo's taken from my window in Noordhaven - Noordhoek, and up in the mountain once it had been extinguished. The fire was finally put out just outside my fence that backs straight onto the mountain."

- Daniel Freedman, News24 User.

Cape Town Disaster Risk Management says the fire that broke out in Muizenberg is heading to the Chapman's Peak toll gate.

"So far we have treated 52 people for smoke inhalation and the total number of homes lost has gone up from four to five," spokesperson Charlotte Powell said.

She said four helicopters were on scene to assist the 28 fire-fighting vehicles and 16 support vehicles.

"The fire is burning over an extensive part and has reached Boyes Drive over Ou Kaapse Weg and was heading towards the toll gate at Chapman's Peak." - Sapa