A few staff members from the reserve gathered trying to find water in order to kill the fire but failed.
According to an anonymous source, large sparks were being emitted from a thick electrical cable on the outside of the building making it dangerous to approach, the Reserve staff frantically searched for the power supply hoping to turn it off.
The first vehicle to arrive at the scene was the young lodge staff themselves whose homes were burning to the ground, and at this stage the flames and black smoke were swelling out from the door frame of the second room.
“Vehicles came pouring in as the call for help went out but all that remained of the homes and lives of these young people was a charred mass of black poles and warped molten roof sheets.
Their three dogs did not survive”, said Hoedspruit Heralds source.
We call upon the Hoedspruit Community to come to the assistance of the staff members who have lost their belongings.
Any donations can be dropped off at Maruleng Nissan, Hoedspruit, or alternatively call 072 125 3876.
