The fire broke out Friday afternoon at about 2pm and quickly spread with very dry and windy conditions.
Overstrand Fire and Rescue was mobilised as soon as the call came through. One Life rescue also mobilised in the late afternoon to start with the collection and distribution of food and liquids to the men and women working on the lines.
The community of Overstrand and Overberg really pulled together to ensure that we had enough supplies to see to the needs of our men and women at work. (A Gratitude List will be separately posted) At times we had well over 100 staff working to assist in quenching the fire, and eventually extinguishing it.
The community thought of everything and brought all sorts of things.
Cooked meals
Sandwiches
Chocolates
Snacks
Liquids
Energy bars
Cakes
Eye drops
Cream for soothing burns
And much more.
We thank all the teams working, who really pulled out all the stops and worked like crazy to achieve almost the impossible to save all dwellings in the area.
The following services came from far and wide:
Overstrand Fire and Rescue
Overberg District Fire
City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue
Westcoast District Fire and Rescue
Cape Winelands Fire and Rescue
Working on Fire
WOF Helicopters
Overberg Aviation
Overstrand Traffic
Overstrand Law enforcement
Cape Nature
Provisional Traffic
Overstrand Municipality
FPA
Also a great thanks to all the support staff for all their hard work putting food packs together, and receiving the donations from the public.
The garages in the area are not 24 hours. I contacted them to ask them to assist us in staying open if necessary later, or opening in an emergency during the night. Thanks to them for assisting us in every way possible.
We also thank our Councillors and Mayor also for their support.
We also sent out a request for prayer to our churches requesting for them to pray for the Gods intervention to quiet the wind and assist. We asked for protection of a men and women at work on the lines, the community safety, and ultimately rain. The wind subsided on Saturday evening. We also received some light rain Sunday night. We express our appreciation to the Lord for His intervention, because with that and the incredible work of our men and women working on the lines, the fire is so to say history.
One Life Rescue wishes to thank all those who worked so hard, and the public who helped in their special way. It was really a privilege for us to work together with you all on this Fire