A raging fire in Grabouw, Western Cape has left a factory, a transport company, and an informal settlement destroyed on Friday afternoon.
The fire first hit Elgin Fruit Juices shortly before 14:00 this afternoon.
The strong wind conditions resulted in the fire spreading to Gaffleys Transport Services whereafter the fire jumped across the road into the informal settlement area next to the Grabouw Water Treatment Works.
Five fire engines contracted by Theewaterskloof from Overberg District with the assistance of five others from Overstrand and City of Cape Fire Services fought and brought the fire under control.
The initial assessments conducted indicate that approximately fifty (50) informal structures were destroyed leaving approximately 200 people displaced.
The cause of the fire and the extent of the damages is undetermined at this stage.
No fatalities have been reported, but emergency services are on the scene.
Disaster relief support activated for fire victims in Grabouw
Meanwhile, the Theewaterskloof Municipality has deployed officials to assess the damages to private houses along Ou Kaapse Weg to assess if any assistance will be required.
Read also: Watch: MyCiti bus crashes car underneath it on Nelson Mandela Boulevard in Cape Town
In light of the inclement weather conditions that are forecasted for this coming weekend, the Theewaterskloof Municipality has opened community halls in the area for emergency shelter for accommodation.
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