By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Image Supplied.
The 300-year-old Manor House at Blaauwklippen Vineyards outside Stellenbosch has been gutted by a blaze on Sunday morning.
In a statement released by the Blaauwklippen management, the fire broke out at a neighbouring farm early this morning.
“The fire spread to the Manor House from the dam’s side, then to the Jonkershuis and eventually to the Cathedral. All three buildings have burned to the ground,” it said.
Six firefighting teams, including Blaauwklippen’s Disaster Management team and those from neighbouring farms, attended to the fire. The blaze is but one of five in the area.
“It’s a sad day indeed for Blaauwklippen as heritage landmarks have been destroyed in the terrible blaze, but the sadness is made easier to bear by the gratitude that no lives were lost and we acknowledge the swift evacuation and heroic efforts of our personnel – Stefan, Chrisma and their teams, who ensured that no one was injured,” the statement continued.
Anesca Roodt of the Cape Winelands District Municipality says three firefighting trucks with crews were dispatched to the scene.
Blaauwklippen Vineyards dates back to 1682. The Manor house was built in 1789, after which its popular wedding venue, the Cathedral, was added in 2018.
Meanwhile the Stellenbosch Municipality says over 300 informal structures were razed to the ground when a blaze ripped through the area on Saturday night.
Officials said the strong winds lashing the Cape made firefighting efforts hard, but the fire was eventually brought under control.
Municipal spokesperson Stuard Grobbelaar said the cause of the fire was unknown by Sunday morning.
“Stellenbosch disaster management worked tirelessly at the scene to combat the inferno and aid residents. The fire was brought under control early last [Saturday] night. Cleanup and mop-up operations are ongoing today [Sunday]. The municipality is currently providing assistance to affected residents.”
The humanitarian aid group Gift of the Givers said a few residents also had to be evacuated as a safety precaution after reports of metal sheets blowing off roofs.