LIMPOPO – A 35-year-old firefighter from Northam was killed on Monday after being trapped in a raging veld fire in the Waterberg district.
It is with great sadness we confirm the loss of our firefighter during #Limpopofires suppression. Heartfelt condolences to family & friends
— Working on Fire (@wo_fire) October 13, 2015
Samuel Ramokgaba was airlifted to a hospital in Bela Bela, but later succumbed to his injuries and died in hospital.
Ramokgaba and his fire fighting colleagues were trapped while trying to contain a fire near Northam, but his colleagues managed to escape.
According to a facebook post from Barend Pienaar; “More than 200 000 ha have been burnt in the Alma, Rankinspas, Loubad, Kralingen, Elandsfontein areas, everything west of Modimolle.”
“Damages include: houses, barns and vehicles. Several animals have also perished.”
Working on Fire manager, Sam Maepa, said 260 firefighters from Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng were currently fighting the fires.
Damage to property was so far estimated at millions of rand.
via SABC News
