A recent guest of St. Helena's tourism pride the Shelley Point Hotel, has expressed his sadness as firefighters continue battling a raging fire which started in one of the kitchen buildings around 7am on Tuesday morning.
Saldanha Bay Mayor Andre Truter said the fire had been contained for a short while allowing for the safe evacuation of all guests and staff.
“There were no injuries or fatalities, thankfully. Fire crews from Saldanha Bay Municipality , West Coast District Municipality Swartland Municipality and Bergrivier Municipality are on site and are keeping the fire from spreading to surrounding houses. Myself and the Municipal Manager, Heinrich Mettler and MMC Michael Schaffers have been on site since early. Fire Chief Basil January is running on site and running operations,” said Truter.
He added that Western Cape Disaster Management had assisted immediately by dispatching a spotter plane and two helicopters.
West Coast Medical Rescue added they were also on scene, while Saldanha Bay firefighters worked tirelessly to battle the blaze.
“We urge residents to avoid the area and keep a clear way for Emergency Vehicles,” the medical rescue service said.
Fahiem Stellenboom a guest who had recently enjoyed a stay at the hotel wrote on Facebook: “So utterly sad: I am devastated to hear about the raging fire at the Shelley Point Hotel, where my bestie Jeremy Vance Hammond and I stayed, just four days ago and where we had a most wonderful holiday.
Cape Times