Phalaborwa fire: ‘Everyone is reaching out to help’
A veld fire in town was earlier today fuelled by temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius and wind speeds of up to 20km per hour, resulting in several properties being destroyed in the blaze.
A town is coming together this evening in its efforts to assist those affected by a ravaging veld fire in Phalaborwa.
The Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality is working closely with the Mopani District Municipality’s fire and rescue services to control a fire that has engulfed several houses on the outskirts of town today.
Temperatures of above 40 degrees Celsius in Phalaborwa today and wind speeds of between 15 and 20km per hour saw the fire, which reportedly started as a veld fire, spreading quickly and ravaging through properties in Stalling, Visarend, Sterwer, Battaleur, Koorsboom and Red Ivy streets, among others.
A ravaging veld fire has engulfed several houses on the outskirts of Phalaborwa.
Temperatures of above 40 degrees Celsius and wind speeds of between 15 and 20km per hour in the area today saw the fire, which reportedly started as a veld fire, spread quickly. pic.twitter.com/DntBVonRn2
— Polokwane Observer (@PolokwaneObserv) September 16, 2023
While unconfirmed reports suggest that as many as 20 properties have been affected, the municipality in a press statement totalled the damaged properties at more than seven.
“The Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality is devastated by the fire that has engulfed more than seven houses in Phalaborwa this afternoon. While the cause of the fire is unknown, bushfires are suspected to have been the cause and no injuries have been reported.”
Phalaborwa Mayor, Merriam Malatji has asked the municipal manager, Dr Kgoshi Pilusa to request assistance from the local mines and to dispatch water tankers to assist in containing the fire.
The mayor will meet with Mopani Mayor, Pule Shayi this evening to map the way forward in assisting affected families, their statement reads.
Meanwhile, Sybrandt van Niekerk from the DA in Phalaborwa confirmed that fire-fighters are working unabated to contain the fire.
“Several properties have burned down to the ground, among which was a well-known guesthouse in town. Fire-fighters are doing the best they can, with the help of LFPA helicopters and the fire-fighting teams of Foskor, PMC, the SANDF (Hoedspruit) and Mopani Fire-fighting Services.”
According to Van Niekerk, the fire was fuelled by strong winds throughout the day.
“The veld fire eventually jumped the road to the residential area, and from here travelled from one lapa to the next.”
As far as he knew, no injuries were reported, Van Niekerk added.
“Guest houses have offered their services free of charge for those whose houses were destroyed in the fire. This really is an effort everyone is involved in.”
Several volunteers have on social media published arrangements for clothes, food and parcels to be dropped off in an effort to assist those who were affected.
