A house on Commission Street was gutted by a fire despite residents’ best attempts to douse the flames.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries but there is nothing but debris left of the contents of the house.
Neighbours said the owner of the house resides in Pongola and the house is being rented by three men who leave to work early in the morning and return late in the afternoon.
Bystanders say they contacted the fire department to no avail and reliable sources say that AbaQulusi municipality no longer has a fire department after Director of Community Services, Bongiwe Mnikathi, allegedly indicated that staff would not be paid to carry out this function as they were expected to fight fires on a volunteer basis.
With no fire fighters and water supply being shut off on account of the drought, it is likely Vryheid’s only hope in the event of a fire may lie in divine intervention.
A house is Sasko is also reported to have burnt down today.
