60 families destitute after fire
60 families destitute after fire
7 January 2010
published by www.news24.com
South Africa — Sixty households were left destitute after veld fires ravaged through Kwanokuthula township near Plettenberg Bay, the Bitou municipality said on Thursday.
“The fires started on Tuesday, but it was not threatening then,” said municipality administration director, Thomas Nqolo.
“The fire became threatening when a strong breeze blew it to Kwanokuthula and the neighbouring Ladywood area.”
Thirty-five houses and backyard shacks were destroyed.
Firefighters from the district municipality and neighbouring municipalities as well as a helicopter were called in to assist in dousing the flames.
“The helicopter arrived at about 14:00 yesterday [Wednesday] and it helped put out the fire quickly.”
Sixty families affected by the fires were being accommodated in community halls. They were given food parcels, mattresses and blankets.
Although the cause of the fire was not yet known, Nqolo said the area was prone to fires during this time of the season due to drought in the area.
“We can say the fire is now extinguished, there are flare-ups here and there, but it’s being monitored,” he said.
