WATCH: ‘Fire is not a toy’ – Thatched roof house in Noordwyk catches alight as children play with matches
MIDRAND – The house was recently donated to the complex to be used as a clubhouse.
It took an hour to extinguish a fire at the St George complex in Noordwyk, believed to have been started by children on 16 September.
According to Ward 112 councillor Madeleine Hicklin, the fire was started by children who were playing with matches.
She said because it was windy, the thatched roof farmhouse in the middle of the complex quickly caught fire.
“The house was recently donated to the complex to be used as a clubhouse. What began as a little game to the children rapidly went out of control,” she said.
The emergency management services were called to the scene at around 11.26am.
The spokesperson for the Emergency Management Services, Nana Radebe, said, “It took an hour to fully extinguish the block that was affected.
“There were no injuries or casualties reported. The cause of the fire had not yet been determined.”
Hicklin warned parents to teach their children that fire was not a toy.
“Children need to be taught not to play with fire,” she said.
“In any event, where there is a fire, I advise residents to throw sand to extinguish the flame.”
Hicklin added that she would engage with the MMC for Public Safety and the Emergency Management Services to roll out awareness campaigns to residential complexes.
“I would also suggest that the trustees receive fire drill training to assist in times of emergencies,” Hicklin concluded.
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