The Department of Correctional Services says inmates were evacuated to avoid hazardous smoke inhalation and taken to nearby correctional facilities.
CAPE TOWN – A total of 394 prisoners have been evacuated from the Brandvlei prison in the Western Cape after a fire in the Cape Winelands area torched sections of the facility including prison cells.
The department has added that the blaze also gutted its logistics and agricultural stores, as well as grazing fields for livestock. "Fire services have confirmed that the active fire line, previously higher up in the Brandvlei mountain this morning has descended and is currently burning on the grounds of Brandvlei Prison. Supported by the Breede Valley Municipality Fire Services, they are employing recognised firefighting techniques to redirect the fire's path.
"There have been no further reports of structural losses, and adequate resources have been deployed," said Cape Winelands fire and rescue spokesperson Anesca Roodt.
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