The fire which sent clouds of smoke over Grahamstown this afternoon is believed to have originated in the industrial area around midday. The blaze caused minor damage to a number of private residences in Hill 60.
The fire which sent clouds of smoke over Grahamstown this afternoon is believed to have originated in the industrial area around midday. The blaze caused minor damage to a number of private residences in Hill 60.
Aided by the strong wind from the west, the flames spread rapidly and in some cases jumped fences of homes bordering the veld. Gardens were damaged and residents did what they could to prevent the fire from causing structural damange to their homes.
Resident Simon Siu, of Stanley Louw Street, believes the fire could have been partly prevented if the municipality had responded to his concerns about the area surrounding his house sooner.
Siu claims that the veld bordering the Cradock Road, previously a recreational facility, has since been neglected and is overgrown with flammable vegetation that borders the houses. Siu says he has been complaining to the municipality about the issue for approximately five years.
Although the fire spread over a large area, the emergency services, with the aid of a military truck, brought the blaze under control before any significant damage could be caused to private property.
