By Johnathan Paoli
A historic colonial-era building at the Laborie Wine Estate in Paarl, Western Cape, was badly damaged by fire on Saturday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of guests and the deployment of firefighting helicopters and ground crews to prevent further destruction.
According to the Drakenstein Municipality, the fire broke out shortly after midday, with emergency services responding swiftly to contain the blaze.
Flames tore through parts of the estate, destroying two major structures, the Cucina Di Giovanni restaurant and the first wing of the estate’s accommodation facilities.
The municipality confirmed the extent of the damage and highlighted the urgency of the response.
The affected building is believed to be up to 300 years old, underscoring concerns about the loss of historically significant architecture.
Laborie Wine Estate is one of the oldest wine farms in the Paarl region and forms part of the area’s colonial heritage, attracting both local and international visitors.
Firefighters prioritised efforts to prevent the flames from spreading to the estate’s historic Manor House and a second accommodation wing, both of which were considered at high risk due to strong wind conditions in the area.
Firefighting helicopters were deployed to conduct aerial water drops, while ground crews worked to suppress hotspots and establish containment lines, with additional firefighting crews dispatched as a precautionary measure.
Shortly after 15:00, the municipality confirmed that the fires affecting the restaurant and the first accommodation wing had been successfully contained.
Fire crews then moved into damping-down operations to prevent flare-ups and ensure the area remained secure.
As a precaution, emergency services evacuated guests and visitors from the estate earlier in the afternoon.
No injuries have been reported.
The municipality also urged members of the public to keep the main road near the estate clear to allow emergency vehicles unhindered access to the site as firefighting and monitoring operations continue.
The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and authorities have indicated that further assessments will be conducted once the area is completely declared safe.
INSIDE METROS