POLOKWANE – Residents had their hands full on Monday when a runaway veldfire made its destructive way through the veld just after the Soetdorings turnoff, leaving veld meant for grazing destroyed.
According to Mariaan Coetzee, the secretary of the Doornbult/Soetdorings community policing forum (CPF), around 10 people assisted in fighting the fire that took around three hours to extinguish. She said no one was injured in the fire and the only damage was the veld meant to be used for feed for the animals in the area. “We are not yet sure what started the fire, but can confirm that it was started from the side of the Soetdoerings road and spread inwards,” she told Review.
Coetzee thanked everyone for their assistance in fighting the fire. “The cooperation between everyone is a clear sign that teamwork works best in emergency situations,” she said.
The Doornbult/Soetdorings CPF shared the following information regarding fire and the law:
• On a smallholding, there should be someone at all times who knows how to raise alarm if a fire breaks out.
• There must be working equipment on a small holding to fight a fire,
• A minimum path of 3m must be cleaned along all fence lines.
According to the law:
• When a fire starts the owner of the land is responsible for fines and damage.
• When the fire department responds to a fire on a small holding, the owner of the premises is responsible for the payment of the fire brigade.
• People leasing property will be held accountable for the area they lease unless the lease contract states otherwise.
• People who abide by the law will be protected by the law even if a fire starts on their property provided that they follow all the needed guidelines.
When fighting a fire:
• Be aware of the correct shoes to wear in a fire.
• Bring the correct equipment to assist in fighting the fire.
• Listen to the people in charge and follow instructions to ensure the fire is brought under control.
• Where possible, bring along two-way radios and water to drink.
A meeting will be held at the TLU hall at the Polokwane showgrounds today (Thursday). Interested people can contact the chairperson of the Polokwane Fire Association, Coenraad Groenewald by e-mail on coenraad@riskmanagers.co.za or by contacting the chairperson of the Fire Protection Agency, Michiel van Heerden at michielvh1@gmail.com
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