By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Firefighters have contained a fire that nearly destroyed one of the iconic colonial-era buildings at the Laborie Wine Estate in Paarl, Western Cape on Saturday.
The fire broke out at Laborie Estate shortly after midday and required support from Stellenbosch Municipality, Cape Winelands District Municipality, the Fire Protection Association (FPA), and DFW Fire & Rescue NPC.
Witnesses described seeing flames shoot up from the roof, quickly spreading through the structure despite efforts to contain it.
Two structures — the Cucina Di Giovanni restaurant and the first wing of the accommodation facilities — were destroyed in the incident. The historic Manor House and the second accommodation wing were successfully protected and are now out of danger.
The historic manor house at Laborie Wine Estate, has stood since the 1700s as a symbol of the region’s wine-making legacy.
This 300-year-old building, a fine example of Cape Dutch style with its gables and thatch, held rooms for guests and spaces for events.
The Drakenstein Municipality Spokesperson Zulpha Petersen says fire crews will remain on site into the night to monitor the area and ensure conditions remain stable.
She added that wind conditions remain strong, but all teams are fully alert and monitoring the area closely to prevent any flare ups.
The cause of the fire is still unknown at this stage. An investigation will be conducted once mop up operations have been completed. The incident comes amid heightened fire risk across the Western Cape during the festive season.